Banksia spinulosa
The hairpin banksia ("Banksia spinulosa") is a species of woody shrub, of the genus "Banksia" in the family Proteaceae, native to eastern Australia. Widely distributed, it is found as an understorey plant in open dry forest or heathland from Victoria to northern Queensland, generally on sandstone though sometimes also clay soils. It generally grows as a small shrub to in height, though can be a straggly tree to . It has long narrow leaves with inflorescences which can vary considerably in coloration; while the spikes are gold or less commonly yellowish, the emergent styles may be a wide range of colours – from black, purple, red, orange or yellow.
Banksia marginata
Banksia marginata, commonly known as the silver banksia, is a species of tree or woody shrub in the plant genus "Banksia" found throughout much of southeastern Australia. It ranges from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, to north of Armidale, New South Wales, and across Tasmania and the islands of Bass Strait. It grows in various habitats, including "Eucalyptus" forest, scrub, heathland and moorland. "Banksia marginata" varies widely in habit, ranging from a small shrub, high, to a large tree, tall. The narrow leaves are linear and the yellow inflorescences (flower spikes) occur from late summer to early winter. The flower spikes fade to brown and then grey and develop woody follicles bearing the winged seeds. Originally described by Antonio José Cavanilles in 1800, further collections of "B. marginata" were described as several separate species by Robert Brown in 1810. However, all were reclassified as a single species by George Bentham in 1870. No distinct subspecies have been recognised by "Banksia" expert Alex George, who nonetheless concedes that further work is needed.