Shrub 0.5-4 m tall or medium size tree to over 10 m tall with thick warty bark. Leaves alternate, oblong to obovate, mostly 10-20 cm long, 2-4 cm wide; margin saw-toothed. Flower cone mostly 10-15 cm long, 10-12 cm wide, cylindrical. Perianth about 4 cm long, cream; Jan-June. Styles cream, curved. Fruit scattered in cone, 2.5-3.5 cm long.
SE Qld to Tas (coastal).
B. aemula is similar but has leaves 1-2 cm wide, flowers pale yellow to greenish and follicles more than 3 cm long.
VIC: Melbourne (Royal Bot. Gds).
Source: (2002). Proteaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
Banksia serrata 'Pygmy Possum'
Grows to about 60 cm tall, 2.5 m wide with leaves and flower cones smaller than those of the type.a seedling selection registered with acra 27 Oct 1986.