Lambertia Formosa - Ecology

Ecology

Lambertia formosa regenerates after bushfire by resprouting from its woody lignotuber, but is also serotinous in that it has a seed bank held in its canopy to be released after fire. The number of flowers produced by plants growing back from fire peaks two or three years afterwards. A field study in Brisbane Water National Park north of Sydney found that plants that had experienced two short (less than seven-year) intervals between bushfires had reduced reproductive output as measured by lower numbers of follicles, compared with plants in areas which had had no or one short inter-fire interval. Plants can live for over 60 years.

The red/pink colour, length of the tube and properties of the nectar indicate that the flower is pollinated by honeyeaters, which perch as they consume the nectar. Species observed foraging include the White-eared Honeyeater (Lichenostomus leucotis), White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris niger), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala), Little Wattlebird (Acanthochaera chrysoptera), Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris), and Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops). Honeyeaters are found in greater numbers in the vicinity of plants with more flowers.

Caterpillars of the Australian cup moth species Xylorycta strigata eat the leaves and make burrows in the wood. The plant also hosts caterpillars of the cup moth species Mecytha fasciata.