What is a banksia?
A banksia is an Australian flowering plant with large, cylindrical flower spikes made up of hundreds or thousands of tiny flowers. There are about 170 species, most in southwest Western Australia.
Banksias range from low shrubs to trees over 25 metres tall. Their flower spikes can be yellow, orange, red, pink or cream. After flowering, the spikes turn into woody cones with seed pods.
The genus is named after Joseph Banks, the English botanist who collected the first specimens at Botany Bay in 1770 during James Cook's voyage on the Endeavour.
Fire and seeds
Many banksias keep their seeds sealed in woody follicles that open only after fire or when the plant dies. This strategy allows seeds to fall onto freshly burned, nutrient-rich ground with little competition.
Banksia flowers are rich in nectar, feeding honeyeaters, possums and insects. The tiny honey possum of Western Australia relies almost entirely on banksia and other flowers for food.
Banksia cones inspired May Gibbs's villains, the Big Bad Banksia Men, in her classic children's book Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
Did You Know?
Aboriginal people soaked banksia flower spikes in water to make a sweet drink.