Family: Proteaceae

Banksia sphaerocarpa is a compact, evergreen shrub from Western Australia known for its rounded, golden flower spikes that attract bees and birds. Its fine, narrow leaves and tidy, multi-stemmed form make it an appealing ornamental for dry, sunny landscapes. This species is drought tolerant once established and stays relatively small—typically under 6 feet—making it suitable for smaller yards or native-themed plantings.

Although Banksia sphaerocarpa is not naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it does possess several traits that are cause for concern, including high seed production, fire-adapted reproduction, and an ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils. These characteristics suggest it could have the potential to spread if conditions are suitable. Further evaluation is needed to better understand whether this species could impact Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Other Banksia species have become invasive
  
• Fire-tolerant, sprouting from the lignotuber
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind and intentionally by people
  
• Forms canopy stored seed bank (serotiny)
  
• Tolerates fire and heavy pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but limited evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Seeds relatively large and unlikely to be inadvertently dispersed