Description
Banksia petiolaris is a prostrate shrub which can spread to a diameter of 2 metres (7 ft), its thick stems grow horizontally on the ground and are covered in fine hair. The new growth is more densely covered with velvety orange brown hair. The large leathery upright leaves arise vertically on petioles up to 15 cm (6 in) high. The adaxial surface faces north and is inclined at around 15 degrees off vertical. The leaf laminae can reach 60 cm (24 in) in length and 4 cm (1.6 in) wide. They are dull green with serrated margins and a white undersurface. Dead leaves remain on the plant. Flowering occurs in late spring. The cylindrical inflorescences are yellow in overall colour and range from 9 to 16 cm (3.6–6.2 in) high. As the flower spikes age, they fade to a greyish colour, the old flowers persisting. Up to 20 follicles may appear on each spike. Covered with a fine grey fur, they are elliptical in shape and measure 2.8–3.8 cm (1.1–1.7 in) in length, and 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) in width.
It is nonlignotuberous, regenerating by seed after bushfire.
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