banksia
|bank-si-a|
🇺🇸
/ˈbæŋk.si.ə/
🇬🇧
/ˈbæŋk.sɪ.ə/
Australian flowering shrub genus
Etymology
'banksia' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Banksia,' named in honor of the English botanist Sir Joseph Banks.
'Banksia' was established as a botanical genus name in the late 18th century (by Carl Linnaeus the Younger in 1782) to commemorate 'Joseph Banks,' and the Latinized genus name entered English as the common name 'banksia'.
Initially it referred specifically to the botanical genus named after Joseph Banks; over time it has also been used as the everyday common name for any species within that genus.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of about 170 species of Australian flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, including shrubs and trees characterized by distinctive flower spikes and fruiting 'cones'.
Banksia is an important source of nectar for many native birds and insects.
Noun 2
any tree or shrub of the genus Banksia (used as a common name for species within the genus).
Several banksias bloom in the coastal heathland in spring.
Last updated: 2026/01/12 07:43