How do banksias survive in their environment?

Answer 1

The banksia is a plant with unique adaptations to help it survive in its environment.

Firstly, the nature of its flower structure attracts many more birds, animals and insects that can help to ensure pollination to other plants. The flowers are long and cylindrical, rather than single cuplike structures.

Also, banksias are able to survive bushfires better than other plants. Some banksias have thick bark that protects them from fire, whilst others have lignotubers, which are underground swellings on their roots, from which they are able to sprout again after fire. these lignotubers are protected, being underground, and rarely damaged by bushfires.

Banksia flowers rely on fire to stimulate the release of their seeds. The seeds are protected from bushfires by a resinous coating, and the action of the fire passing triggers their release as the fire melts the resin.