 The specific epithet ("micrantha") is from ancient Greek words meaning "small" and "flower".George placed "B. micrantha" in "Banksia" subgenus "Banksia" because of its characteristic "Banksia" flower spike, section "Oncostylis" because its flowers have hooked styles, and series "Abietinae" because of its roughly spherical flower spike.Its closest relative is said to "B. sphaerocarpa" (fox banksia).