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, stingless bees and a host of invertebrates. Furthermore, they are of economic importance to Australia's nursery and cut flower industries. However these plants are threatened by a number of processes including land clearing, frequent burning and disease, and a number of species are rare and endangered.
This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.
This is the first time I've seen a Banksia. The flowers have an unexpected shape.
ReplyDeleteLooks for me like a very nice Christmas decoration...
ReplyDelete