Australian Cultivar Registration Authority

Description: Banksia serrata 'Pygmy Possum'. Copyright holder: Fagg, M. Date Taken: December 1993 Taken at: ANBG, ACT Image Source: Australian Plant Image Index (APII) - Photo No.: a.36050
Photographer: Fagg, M.

Description: Copyright holder: Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) Date Taken: March 1984 Taken at: Austraflora Nursery VIC Image Source: Australian Plant Image Index (APII) - Photo No.: x.545
Photographer: Molyneaux, W

Banksia serrata 'Pygmy Possum'

File Number

354

ACRA Field Book Number

222

Registration Date

26/10/1986

Application Received

01/01/1985

Family

Proteaceae

Cultivar Name

Banksia serrata 'Pygmy Possum'

Origin

Banksia 'Pygmy Possum' is a coastal form of B. serrata from Green Cape in southern NSW. The selection was made in 1975 by Austraflora Nurseries Pty Ltd of Montrose, Victoria. The cultivar was first received by the Authority in January 1985. Registration applied for by Austraflora Nurseries Pty Ltd, PO Box 146, Montrose, 3765. Originally registered as Banksia 'Austraflora Pygmy Possum'

Characteristics

This cultivar is a very low growing form of the species, growing to .6m tall by up to 2.5m across. The leaves and inflorescences are the smallest in the range of variation of the species. The leaves are up to 8.5cm long by 2cm wide at the widest point. The inflorescences are short and squat, generally reaching 10cm tall by up to 9cm wide, though they have been recorded from 12cm to 20cm tall. Diagnosis: Banksia ' Pygmy Possum' can immediately be distinguished by its low, sprawling growth habit and the generally smaller size of its leaves and inflorescences. NOTE: Like many dwarf selections this cultivar will grow to an upright form. 30 year old plants at the ANBG are now 4-5 metres high.

Cultivation

Highly ornamental small shrub. Suitable for well drained soils. Best in a sunny site but will tolerate some shade. Frost resistant to -6C but can suffer some tip burning during severe frost. Responds well to pruning.

Publication

Payne, W.H. (1989), Garden Cultivars of Australian Plants. Australian Plants 15(121): 200;Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M. (2003), Australian Native Plants: cultivation, use in landscaping and propagation Edn. 5: 98, 263

Colour Coding

The flower colour is not a distinguishing feature of thiscultivar. The flower colour is as for B. serrata, being greyish when in budand yellowish when in flower.

Propagation

Cuttings from semi-firm new growth

Applicant Name

Austraflora Nursery

Uses

Mixed in a shrubbery, or as a feature plant. Attracts nectar feeding birds.

Availability

Specialist native plant nurseries

ANBG Accession Numbers

ACC354; ACRA222; CBG8502339

NSL ID

-