Cultivation
The tree's gnarled bark, large green leaves, and yellow flower spikes are attractive horticultural features. B. dentata is vulnerable to the cold winters in cultivation in Melbourne and recovers over the hotter months of summer. It has not been able to be grown in colder climates, such as those of Canberra.
The plant has been seldom cultivated, though isolated reports suggest it is in fact frost hardy. Seeds do not require any treatment, and take 32 to 40 days to germinate. It was introduced into the United Kingdom in 1822.
Aborigines in the Northern Territory would light old seed cones and use them as firebrands, these lasting for up to two hours. The nectar was consumed by indigenous people. A hot smoking flower spike was used to cauterise leprosy sores, and people would squat over smoking cones in the hope this would relieve diarrhea. The thin woody spikes that did not develop follicles were used as nasal ornaments by aboriginal women, and flower spikes were used as combs.
Read more about this topic: Banksia Dentata
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