Banksia aemula

Scientific name: Banksia aemula

Author: R. Br.

Common name: Wallum Banksia

Family: Proteaceae

Location

Wallum is the Aboriginal name for this species.  It is now applied to the swampy heathland vegetation from coastal central Queensland to northern New South Wales, where this species is found.  Banksia aemula occurs on slight rises in the wallum in soils which are generally sandy

It is a robust, heavily branched shrub or small tree up to 8 m high with a thick, corky trunk, rarely straight, of great character. The yellow-green flowers appear in autumn and early winter much to the delight of honey eating and insectivorous birds.

This is an excellent species to plant in your garden if you want to add some ‘Australian’ flavour. Choose a site with enough room, good drainage and full sun, and remember to give it some additional water during dry periods.

This species is very similar to Banksia serrata, the Saw Banksia, but can be easily differentiated because of the Wallum Banksia's enormous woody follicles - as can be seen in the photograph.