 Banksia violacea , commonly known as violet banksia , is a species of shrub or tree in the plant genus Banksia ( family <unk> ) . It generally grows as a small shrub to 1 @.@ 5 m ( 5 ft ) high with fine narrow leaves , and is best known for its unusually coloured dark purple @-@ violet inflorescences . The colour of the inflorescences , short leaves , and flattened follicles which are sticky when young , help identify this species from others in the field . It is found in low <unk> in southern regions of Western Australia from Esperance in the east to <unk> in the west , growing exclusively in sandy soils . 
