Banksia ornata F.Muell. ex Meisn.

Nomenclature and Growth Form

Banksia ornata F.Muell. ex Meisn. is a shrub commonly known as desert banksia, that typically grows to about 3 metres (9.8 feet) in height, and does not form a lignotuber.

Bark and Stem Characteristics

It has thin grey bark, and stems that are hairy when young, becoming hairless as they mature.

Leaf Shape

Its leaves are narrow egg-shaped, with the narrower end at the base, or wedge-shaped.

Leaf Dimensions and Petiole

They are 30–100 mm (1.2–3.9 in) long and 4–25 mm (0.16–0.98 in) wide, growing on a 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long petiole.

Flower Spike Characteristics

The species produces cream-coloured flowers arranged in a broadly cylindrical spike that is 50–110 mm (2.0–4.3 in) long and 70–80 mm (2.8–3.1 in) wide when flowers open.

Involucral Bracts

Hairy involucral bracts are present at the base of the spike, but these fall off before the flowers open.

Perianth and Pistil Dimensions

The perianth is 30–35 mm (1.2–1.4 in) long, and the pistil is 35–38 mm (1.4–1.5 in) long and slightly curved.

Flowering Period

Flowering can occur in most months of the year, but mainly takes place in winter and spring.

Follicle Characteristics

Each spike can hold up to fifty elliptic follicles, which are 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long and 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) wide, and are surrounded by the remains of older flowers.

General Distribution

This species is common in western Victoria and South Australia.

South Australia Distribution

In South Australia, it occurs in the south-east of the state, south of Nuriootpa, including the lower Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, and areas east of Adelaide.

Victoria Distribution

In Victoria, it is restricted to the far west of the state, occurring mainly between Murrayville and the Grampians.

Habitat and Soil

It typically grows in mallee and heathland environments, in sandy, well-drained soils.

Nectar-Feeding Fauna

Nectar-feeding birds are attracted to this shrub, and observed species that feed at its flowers include the red wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), brown-headed honeyeater (Melithreptus brevirostris), white-naped honeyeater (Melithreptus lunatus) and silvereye (Zosterops lateralis).