The White Lady Banksia Rose  (R. banksiae alba-elena) is considered the first form of R. banksiae. It was discovered in China by William Kerr (approx. 1807). He brought it from the Canton garden to London on behalf of the Royal Horticulture Society. The rose was named for Lady Sarah Banks, the wife of famed botanist Sir Joseph Banks, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

The rose blooms just once a year with clusters of small double white flowers. The Floridata Plant Encyclopedia describes the plant as a rare wild rose.