Common Name: Coast Banksia

General Information

Banksia integrifolia is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually growing from 5 - 16 metres tall. The bole, especially when grown in exposed positions, is often twisted; it can be 50cm in diameter[]. Plants growing in exposed positions have entire leaves whilst those in sheltered positions have serrated leaves[].
Often cultivated as an ornamental in gardens, the plant also provides an edible nectar, tannins and wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Australia - New South Wales, southern Queensland, Victoria

Habitat

Basalt and red sand areas[], usually by the coast but also found at higher elevations where it can be very gnarled and stunted[]. Usually on coastal sand dunes and by inlets[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	9.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Banksia integrifolia is a plant of the warm temperate to tropical zones, where it is found at elevations up to 1,700 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 32°c, but can tolerate 10 - 37°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -10°c or lower, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 850 - 1,600mm, but tolerates 650 - 2,000mm[].
Prefers a sunny position, tolerating some shade[]. Succeeds in most soils, including moderately saline ones[, ]. Requires a lime-free soil[]. Thrives in acid sandy loams[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[]. If this species is to be successfully cultivated, the soil should be low in nutrients, especially in nitrates and phosphates[]. Quite resistant to wind and salt spray, it grows well by the coast[, ].
The plant is very tolerant of fire. It has a thick bark that can insulate it from less intense fires and can regrow from epicormic stems produced on the trunk[]. In addition, the heat of a fire stimulates the seeds to be shed from the 'cone', allowing the seeds to germinate in the newly cleared earth[].
A polymorphic species, there are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[].
A good bee plant[, ].

Edible Uses

The flowers are rich in nectar and this is sometimes harvested as a food. It is best harvested in the morning before birds and evaporation deplete the yields[]. The flowers can be sucked or soaked in water in order to obtain the nectar[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is suitable for seaside windbreak plantings and can also be used to stabilise sand dunes, after initial fixation by other species[].

Other Uses

The bark contains about 10% tannin[, ].

Used as a rootstock for other members of this genus[].

The wood is pinkish in colour and beautifully grained. It is moderately dense, tough, soft, easily worked. Very perishable when exposed to atmospheric influences, but otherwise durable. A highly decorative wood, but the plants tend to be gnarled and irregular thus limiting its use. It is used for veneers, furniture, small cabinet work, fancy work etc[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in an ericaceous compost as soon as the seed is ripe or as soon as it is obtained and do not exclude light. Seal the pot in a plastic bag until germination takes place, which can take 1 - 3 months or more at 20°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in sand in a frame[].