Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Proteaceae

Genus:

Banksia

Species:

Banksia occidentalis subsp. formosa

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

500 cm

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

jan,feb,sep,oct,nov,dec

Bloom Colors:

red, orange, yellow

Evergreen Shrub:

Yes

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, nectar-feeding mammals, insects

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Requires fire for germination

Fire Notes:

Exhibits serotinous follicles that open after fire, releasing seeds onto nutrient-rich ash beds. Plant typically killed by fire but regenerates from seed, adapted to 10-30 year fire return intervals in southwestern Australian heathlands.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

21–90 days

Notes:

Smoke treatment or smoke water application significantly improves germination rates. Fresh seed germinates best; viability declines with storage.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch