Family:	Proteaceae
	Distribution:	South Western Australia in deep sand in tall shrubland and woodland.
	Common Name:	Holly-leaved banksia
	Derivation of Name:	Banksia...after Sir Joseph Banks. ilicifolia...From Latin, ilex, holly and folium, a leaf.
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

Banksia ilicifolia is unlike most other banksias. People familiar with the typical "candle-shape" of the flower spikes of most banksias would probably not recognise B.illicifolia as a banksia at all. In fact, it is one of only three Banksia species in the sub-genus Isostylis which have flowers in cone-shaped clusters similar in many ways to the related genus Dryandra. The other two species in the sub-family are B.cuneata and B.oligantha - all three species occur naturally only in Western Australia.

Banksia ilicifolia flowers in bud

The flowers of Banksia ilicifolia deepen in colour as they age

Unusual seed pods of Banksia ilicifolia

The seeds are enclosed in follicles attached to a woody cone and are generally retained within the cone until burnt. The cone has an unusual shape and usually has only a few follicles.

B.ilicifolia is fire-resistant in that it can regenerate vegetatively from epicormic shoots after brushfires.

B.ilicifolia is not widely cultivated but should be suited to areas with a dry summer climate. It may be difficult to maintain in areas of high summer humidity. It requires well drained soils in full sun and, like all banksias, it is excellent for attracting honey eating birds.

The species is generally propagated from seed which usually germinates reliably. Propagation from cuttings may be possible but the success rate is likely to be low.