Banksia densa

Banksia densa is a shrub, usually with a column-like form that typically grows to a height of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) but does not form a lignotuber. It has linear, pinnatifid leaves that are 50–150 mm (2.0–5.9 in) long and 8–15 mm (0.31–0.59 in) wide on a petiole up to 10 mm (0.39 in) long. There are between eight and thirteen sharply pointed linear to triangular lobes up to 9 mm (0.35 in) long on each side of the leaves and the lower surface is covered with woolly white hairs. The flowers are arranged in heads of between forty and seventy-five with rusty-hairy or velvety, linear involucral bracts up to 15 mm (0.59 in) long at the base of the head. The flowers have a creamy yellow, hairy perianth 15–18 mm (0.59–0.71 in) or 21–25 mm (0.83–0.98 in) long, depending on subspecies, and a mostly glabrous pistil 16–26 mm (0.63–1.02 in) long or 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) long. Flowering occurs from May to October and the fruit is a hairy, egg-shaped to elliptical follicle 9–13 mm (0.35–0.51 in) long.^[2][3][4]

This species was first formally described in 1870 by George Bentham who gave it the name Dryandra conferta and published the description in Flora Australiensis.^[5][6] The specific epithet (conferta) is from a Latin word meaning "crowded".^[7]

In 1996, Alex George described two varieties:^[4]

• Dryandra conferta var. conferta with a perianth 21–25 mm (0.83–0.98 in) long and a pistil 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) long and flowers with a mouse-like or honey-like scent;
• Dryandra conferta var. parva with a perianth 15–18 mm (0.59–0.71 in) long and a pistil 16–26 mm (0.63–1.02 in) long.

In 2007, Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele transferred all Dryandra species to Banksia. As there was already a species named Banksia conferta, Mast and Thiele changed the specific epithet to "densa".^[8][9]

The changed names of the varieties are as follows and are accepted at the Australian Plant Census:

• Banksia densa var. densa;^[10]
• Banksia densa var. parva;^[11]

Banksia densa is widespread in inland parts of the south-west of Western Australia, growing in kwongan, woodland and shrubland between Miling, Cadoux the Porongorups, Bodallin and Mount Holland. Variety parva has a more southerly distribution than var. densa.^[4][3]

An assessment of the potential impact of climate change on this species found that its range is likely to contract by between 50% and 80% by 2080, depending on the severity of the change.^[12]

This banksia is classified as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife^[2] meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.^[13]