Banksia grandis

Willd.

Bull Banksia, Poolgarla, Mangite, Beera, Boolgalla, Boorarup

Proteaceae Edible: Nectar 1,498 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Banksia grandis, commonly known as bull banksia or giant banksia, is a species of common and distinctive tree in the south-west of Western Australia. The Noongar peoples know the tree as beera, biara, boongura, gwangia, pira or peera. It has a fire-resistant main stem with thick bark, pinnatisect leaves with triangular side-lobes, pale yellow flowers and elliptical follicles in a large cone.

Description

A tree. It grows up to 5-10 m high and spreads 3-8 m wide. The leaves are large. They can be 50 cm long. They are held in clumps. They have triangular lobes arranged along a central spine. It has large flower spikes. They are pale yellow and 40 cm long.

Edible Uses

Flowers are soaked in water to produce a sweet drink, and nectar can be sucked directly from the plant. The tree also hosts edible grubs.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are soaked in water to produce a sweet drink. The nectar is also soaked directly from the plant. It also has edible grubs.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It grows in SW regions of Western Australia. It suits temperate and semiarid regions. It can grow on alkaline soils. It can stand light frosts. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Notes

There are about 75 Banksia species. They are mostly in Australia.

References (16)

Bindon, P., 1996, Useful Bush Plants. Western Australian Museum. p 51
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 129
Bonney, N., 1997, Economic Native Trees and Shrubs for South Australia. Greening Australia (SA) inc. Campbelltown SA 5074 p 41
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 218
Daw, B., Walley, T. & Keighery, G., 2001, Bush Tucker. Plants of the South-West. Department of Conservation and Land Management. Western Australia. p 40

Show all 16 references

Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 293
Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 116
Holliday, I., 1989, A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Hamlyn. p 70
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 31
Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 150
Molyneux, B & Forrester, S., 1997, The Austraflora A-Z of Australian Plants. Reed. p 50
Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 466
Plants and People in Mooro Country. Nyungar Plant use in Yellagonga Regional Park
Rolsh, 1994, Wildflowers of the Western State, Rolsh Productions Albany WA. p 4
Smith, K & I., 1999, Grow your own bushfoods. New Holland. Australia. p 105
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