Banksia Seed Pods
The Australian Banksia accumulates seeds in its canopy, releasing them only when conditions are suitable for establishing new plants. The delayed release of this mature seed bank is known as serotiny, and can require the preservation of seeds inside their pods for several years, somehow secured against damage from high levels of UV radiation, predation, changing weather conditions and microbial attack. Release is then triggered, often by the normally destructive agency of bushfires.
The Australian children's author, May Gibbs, featured villains called Big, Bad Banksia Men whose scary looks were modelled on these strange growths.
Banksia Seed Pods
The Australian Banksia accumulates seeds in its canopy, releasing them only when conditions are suitable for establishing new plants. The delayed release of this mature seed bank is known as serotiny, and can require the preservation of seeds inside their pods for several years, somehow secured against damage from high levels of UV radiation, predation, changing weather conditions and microbial attack. Release is then triggered, often by the normally destructive agency of bushfires.
The Australian children's author, May Gibbs, featured villains called Big, Bad Banksia Men whose scary looks were modelled on these strange growths.