Banksia densa is a species of column-like shrub that is endemic to Western Australia. It has deeply serrated to pinnatifid leaves, creamy yellow flowers in heads of up to seventy-five, and hairy follicles.
| Banksia densa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Banksia |
| Subgenus: | Banksia subg. Banksia |
| Series: | Banksia ser. Dryandra |
| Species: | B. densa |
| Binomial name | |
| Banksia densa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Description
Banksia densa is a shrub, usually with a column-like form that typically grows to a height of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) but does not form a lignotuber. It has linear, pinnatifid leaves that are 50–150 mm (2.0–5.9 in) long and 8–15 mm (0.31–0.59 in) wide on a petiole up to 10 mm (0.39 in) long. There are between eight and thirteen sharply pointed linear to triangular lobes up to 9 mm (0.35 in) long on each side of the leaves and the lower surface is covered with woolly white hairs. The flowers are arranged in heads of between forty and seventy-five with rusty-hairy or velvety, linear involucral bracts up to 15 mm (0.59 in) long at the base of the head. The flowers have a creamy yellow, hairy perianth 15–18 mm (0.59–0.71 in) or 21–25 mm (0.83–0.98 in) long, depending on subspecies, and a mostly glabrous pistil 16–26 mm (0.63–1.02 in) long or 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) long. Flowering occurs from May to October and the fruit is a hairy, egg-shaped to elliptical follicle 9–13 mm (0.35–0.51 in) long.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
This species was first formally described in 1870 by George Bentham who gave it the name Dryandra conferta and published the description in Flora Australiensis.[5][6] The specific epithet (conferta) is from a Latin word meaning "crowded".[7]
In 1996, Alex George described two varieties:[4]
- Dryandra conferta var. conferta with a perianth 21–25 mm (0.83–0.98 in) long and a pistil 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) long and flowers with a mouse-like or honey-like scent;
- Dryandra conferta var. parva with a perianth 15–18 mm (0.59–0.71 in) long and a pistil 16–26 mm (0.63–1.02 in) long.
In 2007, Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele transferred all Dryandra species to Banksia. As there was already a species named Banksia conferta, Mast and Thiele changed the specific epithet to "densa".[8][9]
The changed names of the varieties are as follows and are accepted at the Australian Plant Census:
Distribution and habitat
Banksia densa is widespread in inland parts of the south-west of Western Australia, growing in kwongan, woodland and shrubland between Miling, Cadoux the Porongorups, Bodallin and Mount Holland. Variety parva has a more southerly distribution than var. densa.[4][3]
Ecology
An assessment of the potential impact of climate change on this species found that its range is likely to contract by between 50% and 80% by 2080, depending on the severity of the change.[12]
Conservation status
This banksia is classified as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[2] meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[13]
References
- Cavanagh, Tony; Pieroni, Margaret (2006). The Dryandras. Melbourne: Australian Plants Society (SGAP Victoria); Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. ISBN 1-876473-54-1.
