SPECIES: Banksia aurantia — Orange Dryandra
CLASSIFICATION: Critically endangered
Striking and rare, Orange Dyrandra is one of the hidden gems of Western Australia's south coast. Endemic to a tiny area east of Albany, this compact shrub is known for its vibrant orange flower spikes, which appear from late summer into autumn and provide vital nectar for birds and insects. Once part of the Dryandra genus, it’s now officially classified within Banksia – but it retains its unique character. With thick, serrated leaves and a bushy habit, Orange Dryandra grows in nutrient-poor, sandy soils and relies on fire to regenerate from seed. It thrives in only a handful of locations within low, open heath, and despite its resilience to tough environmental conditions, it remains at risk.
Orange Dryandra is under threat from land clearing, inappropriate fire frequency, dieback disease (Phytophthora cinnamomi), and habitat fragmentation. Its limited distribution makes it especially vulnerable to change.