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
Examples of banksia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Walk the tree trail and check out the towering Klinki pine, macadamia, and magnolia trees, then spot brilliant banksias and bold grevilleas in the Native Rockery or travel back in time through the primitive Rainforest Garden boasting rare ferns, palms, and orchids.
—
Yousra Attia, ELLE, 9 June 2023
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
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Yousra Attia, ELLE, 9 June 2023
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
Cite this Entry
“Banksia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banksia. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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