Dryandra tenuifolia (Banksia tenuis)

	Family:	Proteaceae
	Distribution:	Far south coast of Western Australia in woodland and shrubland.
	Common Name:	No generally accepted common name
	Derivation of Name:	Dryandra...after Jonas Dryander, a swedish botanist. tenuifolia...from Latin, tenui, slender and folium, leaf; a reference to the long, thin leaves of the species.
	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).Many authorities now include Dryandra in an expanded Banksia genus (see box).

Dryandra tenuifolia var. tenuifolia (Banksia tenuis var. tenuis) Photo: Margaret Pieroni

Dryandra tenuifolia var. reptans (Banksia tenuis var. reptans) Photo: Margaret Pieroni

Dryandra tenuifolia has been cultivated by enthusiasts for many years and has proven itself to be one of the hardier species in the genus. There are two recognised varieties; var.tenuifolia and var.reptans. The former is a shrub to around 1 metre in height with the leaves having lobes along most of their length. Var.reptans is a prostrate plant where the leaves are lobed only towards the tips. Forms intermediate in features between the two varieties are known.

The leaves of D.tenuifolia are long and narrow, being up to 20 cm long, forming a tangled looking mass. The foliage is not, however, dense enough to obscure the flowers which occur on the older wood on short stems mainly in winter and spring. The flowers clusters of are about 50mm in diameter and brownish-yellow in colour.

D.tenuifolia has proven itself to be reliable in inland areas in well drained, sandy soils and has been flowered successfully in Sydney. The prostrate form makes an interesting ground cover although it may not be particularly quick growing.

Propagation from seed is relatively easy and cuttings are also successful.