BanksiaBanksia Index Banksia ashbyi (Ashby’s Banksia) Banksia baxteri (Baxter’s Banksia) Banksia caleyi (Red Lantern Banksia / Caley’s Banksia) Banksia ericifolia Banksia grandis (Bull Banksia) Banksia integrifolia ssp. integrifolia Banksia media (Southern Plains Banksia) Banksia praemorsa (Cut-leaf Banksia) Banksia prionotes (Acorn Banksia) Banksia quercifolia (Oak-leaved Banksia) Banksia serrata (Saw Tooth Banksia) Banksia spinulosa x ericifolia ‘Giant Candles’

The Ashby’s banksia (Banksia ashbyi) is endemic to Western Australia. They are found growing in heath and spinifex country along the coast of WA, as far north as Exmouth and south to Geraldton.

Ashby's banksia (Banksia ashbyi)
Ashby’s banksia (Banksia ashbyi), Alice Springs, NT

It occurs in two forms. In the northern part of its range down to Shark Bay, it is a lignotuberous shrub to 2 metres in height and grows on red sand dunes near the coast. Further south, it is a non-lignotuberous shub or small tree to 8 metres tall.

Ashby's banksia (Banksia ashbyi)
Ashby’s banksia (Banksia ashbyi), Alice Springs, NT

The species occur in two forms. In the northern part of its range, from Exmouth down to Shark Bay, it is a lignotuberous shrub that grows to about 2 metres in height. Having a lignotuber means it is fire-tolerant. In the southern range from Shark Bay south to Geraldton and Moora, it is a non-lignotuberous (and therefore not fire-tolerant) shrub or small tree growing to a height of 8 metres.

Ashby's banksia (Banksia ashbyi)
Ashby’s banksia (Banksia ashbyi), Alice Springs, NT

It has a smooth, grey bark and deeply serrated leaves. The flower spikes are a stunning bright orange. It flowers from February to December.

Ashby's banksia (Banksia ashbyi)
Ashby’s banksia (Banksia ashbyi), Alice Springs, NT

Common name
Ashby’s Banksia, Orange Banksia.

The first part of the name Banksia, is after the English botanist and naturalist Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820). The ashbyi is after the South Australia botanist Edwin Ashby (1861-1941), who collected the type specimen used to describe the species, from east of Geraldton.

Ashby's banksia (Banksia ashbyi)
Ashby’s banksia (Banksia ashbyi), Alice Springs, NT

Examples of the Banksia ashbyi can be found growing in Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth, Western Australia.

Ashby's banksia (Banksia ashbyi)
Ashby’s banksia (Banksia ashbyi), Alice Springs, NT

Many thanks to the members of Banksia lovers group for identifying this banksia.


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Charophyta
  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Subclass: Magnoliidae
  • Superorder: Proteanae
  • Order: Proteales
  • Family: Proteaceae
  • Genus: Banksia
  • Species: Banksia ashbyi

Footnote & References

  1. Banksia lovers group, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/16375693745/
  2. Banksia ashbyi, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority WA, https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/about-us/information/our-plants/plants-in-focus/892-banksia-ashbyi
  3. Banksia ashbyi, Australian Native Plant Society (Australia), https://anpsa.org.au/plant_profiles/banksia-ashbyi/
  4. Banksia ashbyi, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksia_ashbyi (last visited Dec. 9, 2021)

BanksiaBanksia Index Banksia ashbyi (Ashby’s Banksia) Banksia baxteri (Baxter’s Banksia) Banksia caleyi (Red Lantern Banksia / Caley’s Banksia) Banksia ericifolia Banksia grandis (Bull Banksia) Banksia integrifolia ssp. integrifolia Banksia media (Southern Plains Banksia) Banksia praemorsa (Cut-leaf Banksia) Banksia prionotes (Acorn Banksia) Banksia quercifolia (Oak-leaved Banksia) Banksia serrata (Saw Tooth Banksia) Banksia spinulosa x ericifolia ‘Giant Candles’

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