About Banksia praemorsa Andrews
Banksia praemorsa Andrews generally grows as a shrub reaching 4 metres (13 feet 1 inch) in height, with a relatively thick, sturdy trunk that branches quite close to the ground. Occasional specimens can grow up to 6 to 7 metres (19 feet 8 inches to 23 feet 0 inches) tall, with a trunk diameter of 30 to 40 centimetres (12 to 16 inches). Its bark is rough and flaky.
Flowering takes place from August to November. The flower spikes grow from the ends of small lateral branches, so despite being terminal, they are hidden by surrounding foliage. Flower spikes can grow up to 27 centimetres (11 inches) high, and are made up of hundreds of individual flowers growing from a vertical woody spike.
This species is found in scattered colonies along the south coast of Western Australia, between Torbay (near Albany) and Cape Riche. It grows on the sea-facing side of sand dunes, sand cliffs, or hills over limestone, and all known populations occur within 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) of the coast. The area where it grows has an annual rainfall of 800 millimetres (31.5 inches).
Banksia praemorsa adapts easily to cultivation, though it does not tolerate summer humidity well. Plants grown from seed take 4 to 5 years to flower. The all-yellow flowered form is commonly cultivated, and a specimen of this form has reached 9 metres (30 feet) tall at the Banksia Farm in Mount Barker, Western Australia. This species tolerates soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5, and requires good drainage and a full sunny position. Its seeds do not need any pre-treatment before sowing, and germinate within 30 to 49 days.
