OLD MAN BANKSIA

Banksia serrata

Common in coastal areas on sandy soil. Has large underground tubers from which it regenerates after severe bushfires. The leaves are in bunches and are serrated. The old open seed cones were the bad Banksia men in May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie books. Aborigines ate the sweet nectar of the flower or soaked them to make a sweet drink. Dry seed cones became fire sticks and fishing lines were strengthened by soaking in Banksia tannin.

Banksia cones found on the Riversdale property are used by education groups to make metamorphic sculptures.