Dryandra formosa (Banksia formosa)

	Family:	Proteaceae
	Distribution:	South west of Western Australia in open forest.
	Common Name:	Showy dryandra
	Derivation of Name:	Dryandra...after Jonas Dryander, a swedish botanist. formosa...from Latin, formosus, handsome or beautiful, referring to the overall appearance of the plant.
	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 formosa (Banksia formosa) Photo: Jan Hopgood

Dryandra formosa is well known in cultivation and is a medium to large shrub which may reach 3 metres x 2 metres (sometimes larger). The leaves are linear, 50-180 mm long by about 10mm wide and regularly toothed to the mid rib with triangular lobes. The flower clusters may be up to 100 mm in diameter and occur at the ends of the branches in spring. They are usually yellow to orange in colour and are popular as cut flowers.

D.formosa is a spectacular, fast-growing plant which will grow and flower in subtropical climates but is rarely long lived in those areas. It is better suited to temperate areas with a dry summer and it grows well in southern Victoria and South Australia. It requires well drained soils in a sunny or semi-shaded position and responds to pruning. It is also tolerant of at least moderate frost.

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