banksia
A banksia shrub displays its striking yellow flower spikes in a sunny garden.
Noun 1. A type of Australian shrub or tree: Any plant belonging to the genus Banksia, characterized by tough, leathery leaves, distinctive flower spikes (often yellow), and woody, cone-like fruit that releases winged seeds.
The word "banksia" is used as a common name for plants in this specific genus. It is typically used as a countable noun. * The coastal banksia is well-adapted to sandy soils. * Several species of banksias were flowering after the fire. * The garden featured native flora like grevilleas and banksias.
- As a modifier: "Banksia" can be used attributively to describe related things.
- The banksia cone is a familiar sight in Australian bushland.
- She collected banksia seeds for propagation.
- Banksia menziesii (n): The scientific name for the firewood banksia.
- Banksia serrata (n): The scientific name for the saw banksia or old man banksia.
- Banksia integrifolia (n): The scientific name for the coast banksia.
- Australian honeysuckle (n): A less common common name for some banksia species, referring to the nectar-rich flowers.
- Bottlebrush (n): A related plant in the family Proteaceae with similar flower structures, though not a true banksia.
The definition refers specifically to the botanical genus. The key identifying features are its alternate leathery leaves, its unique apetalous flowers (flowers without separate petals, arranged in dense spikes), and its iconic woody fruit (often called a "cone" or "follicle") that persists on the plant and releases seeds, often after a fire.
A banksia shrub displays its striking yellow flower spikes in a sunny garden.
- any shrub or tree of the genus Banksia having alternate leathery leaves apetalous yellow flowers often in showy heads and conelike fruit with winged seeds