Banksia nutans var. nutans

Botanical Name: Banksia nutans var. nutans
Author: R.Br.
Common Name: Nodding Banksia
Family: Proteaceae

Location

A small spreading shrub from the southern coastal region of Western Australia where it grows in deep sand over gravel or on old dunes. 

It is quietly flowering now in our Banksia Garden in Beds 159b, 160a, 163, 167 and 168.

It has dense blue-green foliage, brown hanging flower heads and prefers a very well-drained soil in partial to full-sun. It is tolerant of most frosts and withstands limited coastal exposure.

Interestingly, it appears to be mainly pollinated by the honey possum, Tarsipes rostratus, which is a tiny (7-10 g) marsupial. This would account for the downward hanging flower heads which are often hidden in the foliage and very near, or touching, the ground. This secretive habit gives the possums some protection from predators as they scamper from flower to flower and plant to plant.