banksia

noun

bank·sia ˈbaŋ(k)-sē-ə

: any of a genus (Banksia) of Australian evergreen trees or shrubs of the protea family with alternate leathery leaves and flowers in dense cylindrical heads

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web At least two species of midwater cephalopods — an octopus known as Japetella heathi and the common clubhook squid, Onychoteuthis banksia — take a different approach to countering bioluminescence: by changing colors. —

Jason P. Dinh, Discover Magazine, 8 Oct. 2022 There’s a coral tree, a banksia, a puka, a Blackwood acacia and three different palms. —

Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, 25 May 2020 Unfortunately for the banksia, its roots had apparently led to the formation of cracks in a retaining wall, and one of its two trunks had been cut to the stump. —

Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, 25 May 2020 The carpenter bees need the longstanding banksias to carry them through multiple seasons. —

National Geographic, 17 Jan. 2020 The banksia plant, which the bees use for nests, have burned. —

Anchorage Daily News, 10 Jan. 2020 Rainbow lorikeets and bright pink galah cockatoos flitted between eucalyptus trees and banksia blossoms that resembled giant yellow and orange candles. —

Margo Pfeiff, latimes.com, 25 Feb. 2018 Some plants, like banksia, release seeds out of woody capsules when heated, while others, including some orchids, flower after stimulation by a fire. —

C. Claiborne Ray, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'banksia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.