Banksia ashbyi Baker fil.

Nomenclature and Growth Form

Banksia ashbyi Baker fil., commonly known as Ashby's banksia, is a shrub or small tree that usually grows to a height of 8 metres (26 feet), and sometimes forms a lignotuber.

Bark Characteristics

It has smooth grey bark.

Stem Characteristics

Young stems are hairy when new, and become hairless as they mature.

Leaf Shape and Dimensions

Its leaves are broadly linear, measuring 100–300 mm (3.9–11.8 in) long and 20–40 mm (0.8–1.6 in) wide, with deep serrations.

Leaf Serrations

The serrations are triangular with sharply pointed tips.

Flower Spike Characteristics

The plant's flower spikes are bright orange, 60–150 mm (2.4–5.9 in) long and 60–80 mm (2.4–3.1 in) in diameter.

Perianth Dimensions

Each perianth is 26–34 mm (1.0–1.3 in) long.

Flowering Period

Flowering occurs either from February to May or from July to December.

Fruit Characteristics

The fruits are numerous smooth, elliptical to round follicles, 8–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) long, 3–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) high and 5–11 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide, with a covering of short, soft hairs.

General Habitat and Range

Ashby's banksia grows in heath and spinifex country along the coast of Western Australia between Geraldton and Exmouth.

Subspecies ashbyi Distribution

Subspecies ashbyi occurs between Shark Bay and Coorow, and also in the Kennedy Range.

Subspecies boreoscaia Distribution

Subspecies boreoscaia is found further north, between North West Cape and Quobba.

Climate Change Impact

An assessment of the potential impact of climate change on this species found that its range is unlikely to contract and may actually grow, depending on how effectively it migrates into newly habitable areas.

Horticultural Germination

In horticulture, the seeds of this species do not require any treatment, and take 16 to 61 days to germinate.