Banksia hookeriana – Acorn Banksia

Banksia hookeriana – Acorn Banksia

Habit and Habitat:
Banksia hookeriana, commonly known as Acorn Banksia, is a striking, upright shrub endemic to sandplains of southwestern Western Australia. It grows naturally in deep, nutrient-poor siliceous sands and low heathland, where it thrives under full sun and relies on periodic fire for regeneration. Its distinctive acorn-shaped buds and bold flower spikes make it a standout feature in heath ecosystems.

Place in Local Habitat and Ecosystem Distribution:
This species occurs from Eneabba to Dongara within Western Australia’s biodiverse kwongan shrublands. It is an important nectar source for honeyeaters, native bees, nectar-feeding mammals, and insects, and its woody cones provide habitat for small invertebrates. As a deep-rooted proteaceous shrub, it contributes to nutrient cycling in low-phosphorus soils and stabilises sandy substrates.

Planting Companions:
Pair Acorn Banksia with other kwongan species suited to dry, sandy soils such as Hakea multilineata, Grevillea armigera, Melaleuca acerosa, Adenanthos cygnorum, Conospermum spp., and grass-like companions such as Lomandra maritima or Lepidosperma gladiatum. These combinations replicate natural sandplain communities and support diverse pollinators.

Human and Wildlife Uses:
Its showy orange to apricot flower spikes attract numerous nectar-feeders, making it a magnet for wildlife gardeners. Indigenous Australians used Banksia cones as slow-burning firecarriers, and dried inflorescences were sometimes used as brushes or strainers. In modern horticulture, the distinctive cones and flower spikes are prized in cut-flower arrangements.

Care Instructions:
Acorn Banksia requires excellent drainage and thrives in deep, coarse, sandy soils with low phosphorus. Avoid clay soils or heavily fertilised garden beds. Full sun is essential. Water regularly when young but reduce watering once established, as mature plants prefer dry conditions. Apply only native-plant–safe (low P) fertilisers. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape but avoid hard pruning into old wood.

Size, Height, Width, Flower, and Leaf Characteristics:
This shrub typically grows 1.5–4 m high and 1–2 m wide. Leaves are narrow, serrated, and a soft blue-green, forming a dense, attractive crown. Flower spikes are cylindrical (up to 15 cm long), ranging from apricot to vivid orange, with acorn-like buds that transition into woody seed cones after flowering. Flowers appear mainly from winter to spring, providing seasonal colour and nectar.

Latin Etymology:
The genus Banksia honours Sir Joseph Banks, the British botanist who collected many Australian species in 1770. The species name hookeriana commemorates Sir William Hooker, an influential English botanist and director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Traditional Uses:
Indigenous groups historically used the nectar from banksia flowers as a sweet drink, either sucked directly from the spike or soaked in water. The woody cones of related banksia species were sometimes employed as carrying embers or as simple tools. While specific records for B. hookeriana are limited, similar uses are widely documented across the genus.