Banksia prionophylla

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Banksia prionophylla
Status DECF P1.svg
Priority One — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Banksia
Species:
B. prionophylla
Binomial name
Banksia prionophylla

Banksia prionophylla is a shrub endemic to Western Australia. Known only from a single population of around 70 plants in a remote part of Western Australia, it is considered rare but not endangered. It was first discovered in 2001, and published under the genus Dryandra in 2005, before being transferred into Banksia in 2007.

Contents

Description

It is a lignotuberous shrub that grows to a height of from 50 to 70 centimetres. It has erect leaves with woolly undersides, nine to fifteen centimetres long, and twelve to eighteen millimetres wide. As with other dryandras, it has a dome-shaped inflorescence. B. prionophylla's inflorescence is terminal on a branch, and consists of around 60 greenish-pink flowers. [1] [2]

Taxonomy

First collected by Fred and Jean Hort on 10 October 2001, further collections were made in July 2002 by them, together with Alex George and Margaret Pieroni. For some time it was referred to by the interim name Dryandra sp. Cataby (F.Hort 1779). [3] A formal description of the species was published in Nuytsia by George in 2005, based on a type specimen collected by George, Pieroni and the Horts on 16 July 2002. He named it Dryandra prionotes, from the Greek prion- ("saw") and -otes ("quality of"), in reference to the "saw-like" leaf margins. [4] He considered it to be closely related to D. armata (Prickly Dryandra, now Banksia armata ), from which it differs in having longer, erect leaves with a woolly undersurface, a more hairy perianth, and larger follicles. [5]

In February 2007, all Dryandra species were transferred to Banksia by Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele, except D. prionotes, which was overlooked. [6] This omission was rectified in December of that year, with Thiele and Mast transferring the species into Banksia as B. prionophylla; the new specific epithet was necessary because there was already a plant named Banksia prionotes (Acorn Banksia). [7] An issue was raised as the binomial Banksia prionophylla had been used by Ferdinand von Mueller to describe a banksia plant in eastern Victoria (now known to be Banksia cunninghamii ). As the plant was not in flower, the record was not considered a valid description and hence the name was available to be used for Dryandra prionotes. [8]

Distribution and habitat

Distribution of B. prionophylla, shown on a map of Western Australia's biogeographic regions. Dryandra prionotes map.png
Distribution of B. prionophylla, shown on a map of Western Australia's biogeographic regions.

It is known only from a single population of about 70 plants, located on a laterite ridge amongst heath, in a quarry reserve in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion. [2] The precise location has been withheld for conservation reasons, but is described as "S of Cataby Roadhouse, Brand Highway, Western Australia, c. 30°47′S115°35′E / 30.783°S 115.583°E / -30.783; 115.583 . [5]

Ecology

Very little is known of the ecology of B. prionophylla. Like most other Proteaceae, it has proteoid roots, roots with dense clusters of short lateral rootlets that form a mat in the soil just below the leaf litter. These enhance solubilisation of nutrients, thus allowing nutrient uptake in low-nutrient soils such as the phosphorus-deficient native soils of Australia. It also has a lignotuber, from which it can resprout after bushfire. Beyond this, the only ecological knowledge of the species is that inflorescences are heavily predated by insects during hot weather; [2] when first collected in 2002, nearly all inflorescences showed some insect damage. [5]

Because only a single, small population is known, it is rated "Priority One - Poorly known taxa" on Western Australia's Department of Environment and Conservation's Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. [5] [9]

Cultivation

Very little is known of this species in cultivation. It is assumed to prefer well-drained, heavy soil and an aspect of full or near full sun. Its natural habitat suggests that it would be only moderately frost-tolerant, and will tolerate drought only after it is well established. [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Banksia <span style="font-style:normal;">subg.</span> Isostylis</i> Subgenus in the family Proteaceae from southwest Western Australia

Banksia subg. Isostylis is a subgenus of Banksia. It contains three closely related species, all of which occur only in Southwest Western Australia. Members of subgenus Isostylis have dome-shaped flower heads that are superficially similar to those of B. ser. Dryandra, but structurally more like reduced versions of the "flower spikes" characteristic of most other Banksia taxa.

<i>Banksia victoriae</i> Species of shrub or tree in the family Proteaceae endemic to Western Australia

Banksia victoriae, commonly known as Woolly Orange Banksia, is a species of large shrub or small tree in the plant genus Banksia. It occurs in Western Australia between Northampton, Western Australia and Kalbarri, with the occasional plant further north as far as Zuytdorp Nature Reserve.

<i>Banksia violacea</i> Species of plant

Banksia violacea, commonly known as violet banksia, is a species of shrub or tree in the plant genus Banksia. It generally grows as a small shrub to 1.5 m (5 ft) high with fine narrow leaves, and is best known for its unusually coloured dark purple-violet inflorescences. The colour of the inflorescences, short leaves, and flattened follicles which are sticky when young, help identify this species from others in the field. It is found in low shrubland in southern regions of Western Australia from Esperance in the east to Narrogin in the west, growing exclusively in sandy soils.

<i>Banksia acanthopoda</i> Species of shrub in Western Australia

Banksia acanthopoda is a species of shrub in the family Proteaceae. It grows as a small spreading shrub to 2 m high and has prickly leaves and yellow composite flower heads, called inflorescences, composed of 50 to 60 individual yellow flowers. Flowering takes place in the southern hemisphere winter. Endemic to Western Australia, it occurs only in a few populations in the vicinities of Woodanilling, Katanning and Darkan. Because of its rarity, it is classed as "Priority Two" conservation flora by Western Australia's Department of Environment and Conservation.

<i>Banksia armata</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Western Australia

Banksia armata, commonly known as prickly dryandra, is a species of often sprawling shrub that is endemic to Western Australia. It has deeply serrated leaves with sharply pointed lobes and spikes of about 45 to 70 yellow flowers.

Banksia ionthocarpa is a species of shrub that is endemic to Western Australia. It has short, hairy, prostrate stems, pinnatifid leaves, pinkish purple to orange flower in heads of between forty and sixty at the base of leaves, and egg-shaped follicles with a distinctive tuft of hairs on the end.

<i>Banksia nobilis</i> Species of shrub in Western Australia

Banksia nobilis, commonly known as the golden dryandra, great dryandra or kerosene bush, is a shrub of the family Proteaceae which is endemic to Western Australia. It occurs on lateritic rises from Eneabba to Katanning in the state's Southwest Botanic Province. With large pinnatifid leaves with triangular lobes, and a golden or reddish pink inflorescence, it is a popular garden plant. It was known as Dryandra nobilis until 2007, when all Dryandra species were transferred to Banksia by Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele. There are two subspecies, B. nobilis subsp. nobilis and B. nobilis subsp. fragrans.

<i>Banksia proteoides</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Western Australia

Banksia proteoides, commonly known as king dryandra, is a shrub endemic to Western Australia. It was known as Dryandra proteoides until 2007, when all Dryandra species were transferred to Banksia by Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele.

Banksia viscida, commonly known as sticky dryandra, is a small shrub known only from four laterite hills in semi-arid inland Western Australia. Known until recently as Dryandra viscida, it is thought to be rare but not threatened.

<i>Banksia wonganensis</i> Species of shrub in Western Australia

Banksia wonganensis is a large shrub endemic to Western Australia that, until 2007, was previously known as Dryandra wonganensis. It occurs within a small area in the vicinity of the Wongan Hills. It grows on lateritic soils in open woodland or amongst dense shrub. It is rare, but does not appear to be endangered.

Banksia xylothemelia is a sprawling woody shrub of the family Proteaceae endemic to southern Western Australia, one of the many species commonly known as dryandras and until recently called Dryandra xylothemelia. To date it is almost unknown in cultivation.

<i>Banksia spinulosa <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> cunninghamii</i> Variety of shrub in the family Proteaceae from the east coast of Australia

Banksia spinulosa var. cunninghamii, sometimes given species rank as Banksia cunninghamii, is a shrub that grows along the east coast of Australia, in Victoria and New South Wales. It is a fast-growing non-lignotuberous shrub or small tree infrequently cultivated.

<i>Banksia sessilis <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> cordata</i> Variety of plant in the family Proteaceae from the extreme south-west corner of Western Australia

Banksia sessilis var. cordata is a variety of Banksia sessilis, with unusually large leaves and flower heads. It is a rare variety that is restricted to the extreme south-west corner of Western Australia.

<i>Banksia sessilis <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> sessilis</i> Variety of plant in the family Proteaceae from Western Australia

Banksia sessilis var. sessilis is the most populous and most widespread variety of Banksia sessilis.

Banksia sessilis var. flabellifolia is a variety of Banksia sessilis.

Banksia bipinnatifida subsp. bipinnatifida is a subspecies of Banksia bipinnatifida. As an autonym, it is defined as encompassing the type material of the species. It was known as Dryandra bipinnatifida subsp. bipinnatifida until 2007, when Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele sunk all Dryandra into Banksia. As with other members of Banksia ser. Dryandra, it is endemic to the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia.

Banksia borealis subsp. borealis is a subspecies of Banksia borealis. As an autonym, it is defined as encompassing the type material of the species. It was known as Dryandra borealis subsp. borealis until 2007, when Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele sunk all Dryandra into Banksia. As with other members of Banksia ser. Dryandra, it is endemic to the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia.

Banksia dallanneyi subsp. agricola is a subspecies of Banksia dallanneyi. It was known as Dryandra lindleyana subsp. agricola until 2007, when Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele sunk all Dryandra into Banksia. Since there was already a Banksia named Banksia lindleyana, Mast and Thiele had to choose a new specific epithet for D. lindleyana and hence for this subspecies of it. As with other members of Banksia ser. Dryandra, it is endemic to the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia.

Banksia dallanneyi subsp. pollosta is a subspecies of Banksia dallanneyi. It was known as Dryandra lindleyana subsp. pollosta until 2007, when Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele sunk all Dryandra into Banksia. Since there was already a Banksia named Banksia lindleyana, Mast and Thiele had to choose a new specific epithet for D. lindleyana and hence for this subspecies of it. As with other members of Banksia ser. Dryandra, it is endemic to the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia.

Banksia dallanneyi subsp. sylvestris is a subspecies of Banksia dallanneyi. It was known as Dryandra lindleyana subsp. sylvestris until 2007, when Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele sunk all Dryandra into Banksia. Since there was already a Banksia named Banksia lindleyana, Mast and Thiele had to choose a new specific epithet for D. lindleyana and hence for this subspecies of it. As with other members of Banksia ser. Dryandra, it is endemic to the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia.

References

  1. ↑ George, Alex S. (1999). "Dryandra". In Wilson, Annette (ed.). Flora of Australia . Vol. 17B. CSIRO Publishing / Australian Biological Resources Study. pp. 251–363. ISBN   0-643-06454-0.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cavanagh, Tony and Margaret Pieroni (2006). The Dryandras. Melbourne: Australian Plants Society (SGAP Victoria); Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. ISBN   1-876473-54-1.
  3. ↑ "Dryandra sp. Cataby (F.Hort 1779)". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  4. ↑ "Dryandra prionotes A.S.George". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  5. 1 2 3 4 George, A. S. (2005). "Further new taxa in Dryandra R.Br. (Proteaceae: Grevilleoideae)" (PDF). Nuytsia . 15 (3): 337–346. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Mast, A. R.; Thiele, K. (2007). "The transfer of Dryandra R.Br. to Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany . 20: 63–71. doi:10.1071/SB06016.
  7. ↑ Thiele, K.; Mast, A. R. (2007). "Further recombinations of Dryandra into Banksia". Nuytsia . 16 (2): 475.
  8. ↑ Thiele, Kevin R.; Wilson, Paul G. (June 2008). "On the validity of two Mueller names published by Meisner" (PDF). Australian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter (135): 4–5.
  9. 1 2 "Banksia prionophylla A.R.Mast & K.R.Thiele". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
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