PROTEACEAE

Honeysuckle, Silver Banksia

 

8.0m (800cm) 

Spikes, 10cm long, of soft yellow flowers. 

Seed follicles clustered in woody cones 

Small tree 

Break O'Day; Brighton; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar 

Coastal Vegetation; Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland; Heath; Wet Eucalypt Forest 

This widespread species occurs as a shrub in heath, coastal scrub, dry sclerophyll forest, grassy forest and subalpine forest. As a tree it is relatively common on sheltered coastal sand dunes and in the grassy woodlands of the Midlands. 

Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Waterlogged; Windy 

Hardy 

Clay; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained 

Place the seed in moist paper or sand and refrigerate for 6-10 weeks. Seeds will generally release from cone (tweezers may be necessary) once removed from tree and placed in warm room. Or use oven 80-100oC for 30 mins, with door partially open. Seed short-lived once extracted. Very useful for providing medium-level cover (up to 8m) in windbreaks. May be used as a sheltering species in timber belts. Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability. Susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi.Koori (mainland) use: Flower cones were soaked in water in wooden vessels to extract the sweet nectar to make drinks. The dry cones were used as strainers. Attracts native birds. Not suitable below powerlines. 

Seed is ripe when follicle is dark brown and woody (not soft and green/light tan when scratched). seed is thin, with papery wing. one or two seeds, separated by a woody divider, in each follicle 

Standard 

Short 

16 

Use fresh seed. Germinates quicker in cooler months, or stratify*, partially inhibited by light so cover seed/sow deeply or place in darkness till germinated. Seedlings susceptible to fungus, so ensure good ventilation and sterile pots, mix etc. Smoke treatment may be beneficial. **See Gen.notes  

4-8 weeks 

Yes 

 

 

No 

From cuttings of firm, young growth.