Curio

State Library of New South Wales
‘Banksia spinulosa’ or Hairpin banksia, from Zoology and Botany of New Holland and the Isles adjacent

‘Banksia spinulosa’ or Hairpin banksia, from Zoology and Botany of New Holland and the Isles adjacent

London: Printed by J. Davis: published by J. Sowerby, 1794; Dixson Library, State Library of NSW; Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952Q79/59

Printed book

Hairpin banksias have long narrow leaves and a range of coloured flower spikes including black, purple, red, orange and yellow.
Banksias were named after naturalist, Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), who was the first European to collect specimens of these plants.
Hairpin banksias are pollinated by a variety of small mammals, nectar eating birds and native bees.
Hairpin banksias have up to 100 hairpin-like follicles which gives these plants their common name.
The Hairpin banksia is native to eastern Australia and found in open dry forests and heathland.
Hairpin banksias grow as small shrubs up to two metres tall and sometimes grow up to six metres as straggly trees.