Banksia Paludosa - Ecology

Ecology

Banksia paludosa subspecies paludosa is a slow-growing shrub which regenerates from bushfire by resprouting from its lignotuber. After fire, plants take around three years to flower significantly, but are flowering well by five years afterwards. Flowerhead numbers dwindle by fourteen years post bushfire. Plants are estimated to live to around 60 years of age. Seedlings also appear from seed dispersed after bushfire. All banksias have developed proteoid or cluster roots in response to the nutrient-poor conditions of Australian soils (particularly lacking in phosphorus).

The flower spikes of Banksia paludosa are unable to self-pollinate and require pollinators to set seed. A 1988 isozyme study showed very high rates of outcrossing; pollen from one plant is well-mixed among other plants in the locale. Nonflying mammals are important pollinators in heathland habitat, with the Brown Antechinus (Antechinus stuartii) a frequent visitor to flower spikes. The Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) is another mammal pollinator. Bird species that have been observed foraging and feeding at the flowers include the Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops), White-eared Honeyeater (L. leucotis), Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera), New Holland Honeyeater (P. novaehollandiae), and Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris). Insects recorded visiting flower spikes include the European Honey Bee and ants.