Banksia

Banksia is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae. These flowering plants are popular garden plants that are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes and fruiting “cones” and heads. They range in size from prostrate woody shrubs to trees. They can grow up to 30 metres in length. Banksias are mostly found in a wide variety of landscapes, forest, rainforest, shrubland, and some more arid landscapes. Although they are not found in Australia’s deserts.

These plants are heavy producers of nectar. Banksias are a vital part of the food chain in the Australian bush. They are an important food source for all sorts of nectarivorous animals, including birds, bats, rats, possums, and stingless bees. Furthermore, they are economically important to Australia’s nursery and flower industries. However, these plants are threatened by a number of processes like land clearing, frequent burning and disease. Some of these have become endangered as well.