Banksia gardneri A.S.George

General Morphology

Banksia gardneri A.S.George is a prostrate shrub that forms a lignotuber, with hairy stems that typically lie along the ground surface.

Leaf Features

Its leaves are either pinnatipartite or serrated, measuring 100–280 mm (3.9–11.0 in) long and 20–60 mm (0.79–2.36 in) wide, attached to a 40–120 mm (1.6–4.7 in) long petiole. The side lobes of the leaves are shaped triangular to oblong.

Flower Head Dimensions

Flowers are arranged in a head that measures 35–100 mm (1.4–3.9 in) long and 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) wide when flowers open. Hairy involucral bracts 10–30 mm (0.39–1.18 in) long are present at the base of the flower head.

Flower Characteristics

The flowers are usually rusty brown, with a cream-coloured style. The perianth is 17–26 mm (0.67–1.02 in) long, and the pistil is 18–30 mm (0.71–1.18 in) long.

Flowering Period

Flowering takes place from April to November.

Follicle Traits

Each flower head can develop up to twenty-five densely hairy, elliptical follicles. These follicles measure 23–40 mm (0.91–1.57 in) long, 5–20 mm (0.20–0.79 in) high, and 8–15 mm (0.31–0.59 in) wide.

Habitat

This species grows in shrubland, low woodland and kwongan.

Distribution

It occurs mainly between Cranbrook, Ravensthorpe, Harrismith and the south coast of Western Australia.