Banksia Ashbyi *

The genus Banksia belongs to the Proteaceae, subfamily Grevilleoidea. ⁴ All the species in the genus Banksia have a chromosome number of η = 14. ¹⁶ The genus is named after Sir Joseph Banks and can be considered as a symbol of the Australian bush. The genus is almost endemic in Australia (with one species spilling over into Papua New Guinea). There are 73 species known today, of which 58 are found in the southwestern region of western Australia and the others in southeastern and eastern Australia. Apart from one exception (B. denata), no species is common to both eastern and western Australia. ^3-5 Banksia ashbyi is located near the central west coast from North West Cape to Qubba and from Hamelia Pool to Mullewa and Coorow, and also in the Kennedy Range east of Carnavon. ³ The endemism of Banksia causes difficulties in cultivating the plants out of their natural habitat. Their special and characteristic roots, the proteoid roots, contribute to their adaptation to zones with poor, sandy soils. ^{6 , 8-10 , 12} The proteoid roots are particularly efficient in absorbing microelements, phosphorus, nitrogen and water. ^{1 , 2 , 7 , 10 , 11} Their formation is suppressed by high nutrient availability (with special effect of certain ions such as phosphorus, nitrate, and calcium), clayey soils, waterlogging, and drought. ^{1 , 2 , 11 , 13 , 14 , 17 , 18}