Family:	Proteaceae
	Distribution:	South coast of Western Australia in shrubland or heathland.
	Common Name:	Prickly dryandra.
	Derivation of Name:	Dryandra...after Jonas Dryander, a swedish botanist. falcata... From Latin falcis, a sickle, referring to the shape of the leaf lobes although this does not seem to be a consistent feature of most specimens.
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

Dryandra is a large genus of 135 species in the Protea family. Their nearest relative is the genus Banksia but, unlike the banksias, Dryandra occurs naturally only in Western Australia (Banksia can be found in all states and one species one even extends its range to islands to Australia's north).

Dryandra falcata is a small to medium shrub, 0.5 to 2.5 metres in height with an upright habit of growth. The leaves are stiff with very sharply pointed lobes and are somewhat cuneate (wedge shaped) up to 80 mm in length. The individual small flowers occur in bright orange or yellow inflorescences on the ends of short branches. Flowering occurs from spring to mid summer.

D.falcata has been grown by enthusiasts for some years but is not widely cultivated. It can be expected to be difficult to maintain in humid temperate and tropical areas. Excellent drainage and a sunny location are preferred. It is a very attractive species that is deserving of wider cultivation, if the prickly habit is not a deterrent.

Propagation from seed is relatively easy and cuttings may be successful but slow to strike.