Look out for Banksia menziesii

One of the most common trees in bushland across the Swan Coastal Plain is Banksia menziesii, Menzie’s Banksia. It is flowering now and will continue to do so until the end of winter.

The flowers are usually red, but come in all shades from pure yellow to bronze. Both yellow and bronze forms can be found here, as well as the more common red.

The tree can grow to 10 metres tall and the flowers are well used by nectar-eating birds. After the flowers are gone, the seeds are then eaten by cockatoos.

The bark has an unusual texture, like pebbles. And the seed cones have a chequerboard-type pattern on them.

Banksia menziesii suffers badly from Phytophthora cinnamomi, commonly called Jarrah Dieback. The trees in these reserves are treated every five years in an attempt to increase their resistance to this pathogen.

You can help limit the spread of the disease by keeping to the limestone tracks (Phytophthora cinnamomi doesn’t like limestone) and making sure you don’t move soil (eg. on your shoes) from one place to another. With your help we can save the Banksias from this disease and being lost forever.