Banksia sphaerocarpa

Banksia sphaerocarpa: The Fox Banksia

Imagine a shrub or tree that stands tall at 1–2 meters high, with narrow green leaves and vibrant orange or yellow flower spikes—this is the fox banksia (Banksia sphaerocarpa). It’s not just any plant; it’s a fascinating species with a rich history and unique characteristics. Have you ever wondered about its taxonomic journey?

A Taxonomic Journey

The fox banksia was first described by Robert Brown in 1810, but its story is far from simple. It has a complicated history with five recognized varieties: B. sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla, which may be given species rank as B. dolichostyla. Is it just one species or should we recognize more?

Five Varieties, Five Species?

The plant varies in size across its range, with five recognized varieties that differ in plant size, flower size, and leaf size. The variability is marked enough to warrant recognition of five separate species. Is this just a matter of semantics or does it truly represent distinct evolutionary paths?

Nature’s Palette

The fox banksia’s inflorescences are globular to oval, 5-8 cm in diameter, and bloom from January to July. They come in a range of colors: yellow, orange, or brownish. Flowering takes five to eight weeks to develop, producing large quantities of nectar that drip to the ground. Can you imagine how sweet it must be for local wildlife?

Foliage and Fruit

The leaves are stiff, narrow, and linear, measuring 2.5-10 cm in length with pointed tips. The foliage is green or pale blue-grey. Follicles are flat with pronounced ‘shoulders’, giving a rectangular appearance in cross section. Seeds are wedge-shaped (cuneate), measuring 2.0-2.6 cm long. Isn’t nature’s design just amazing?

A Complicated History

The earliest known botanical collection of the fox banksia occurred in December 1801 on HMS Investigator to King George Sound. A single plant was observed between Princess Royal Harbour & Oyster Harbour on a heath. How did it survive all these years?

Taxonomic Evolution

Claude Meissner published a more detailed arrangement in 1856, but George Bentham revised it in his 1870 Flora Australiensis. He placed the species in a new section due to its hooked styles. Two varieties were recognized: Meissner’s var. glabrescens and newly described var. latifolia. How did these changes shape our understanding of this plant?

Modern Classification

In 1981, George revised the genus in his classification, including subgenus Banksia, sections Oncostylis, and series Abietinae. He placed B. sphaerocarpa in section Oncostylis due to its hooked styles. In 1996, Thiele and Ladiges conducted a cladistic analysis that retained George’s subgenera but discarded his sections. They further resolved the Abietinae series into four subseries, including the Sphaerocarpae clade containing species with lignotubers and specific seed wing characteristics. Is this complexity necessary or just for the sake of it?

Current Classification

Banksia – subg. Banksia – sect. Banksia (9 series, 50 species, 9 subspecies, 3 varieties) – sect. Coccinea (1 species) – sect. Oncostylis – ser. Spicigerae (7 species, 2 subspecies, 4 varieties) – ser. Tricuspidae (1 species) – ser. Dryandroideae (1 species) – ser. Abietinae – B. sphaerocarpa – B. sphaerocarpa var. caesia – B. sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla latifolia B. sphaerocarpa var. pumilio B. sphaerocarpa var. sphaerocarpa B. micrantha B. grossa B. telmatiaea B. leptophylla (2 varieties) B. lanata B. scabrella B. violacea B. incana B. laricina B. pulchella B. meisneri (2 subspecies) B. nutans (2 varieties) Is this the final word or will it change again?

Conservation Status

The species is classified as Not Threatened under the Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia, but two varieties have been placed on the Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Is this enough to ensure its survival or do we need more action?

Attracting Wildlife

The fox banksia attracts various animals, including mammals, birds, and insects, and has a complex breeding system with high rates of inter-population mating. How does this plant support the local ecosystem?

As a species, B. sphaerocarpa is not considered threatened, but two varieties have been placed on the Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. The plant has unique flower nectar and exhibits fine-scale genetic structure with limited gene flow between populations. Is this enough to ensure its survival or do we need more action?

The fox banksia is a remarkable species, with its complex taxonomy and conservation status reflecting the challenges of preserving biodiversity in an ever-changing world. Its unique characteristics make it a valuable addition to any garden, but its survival depends on our collective efforts to protect and nurture these precious plants.