banksia

noun

Meaning

A genus of evergreen shrubs or trees native to Australia, characterized by distinctive cone-like flower heads and woody follicles.

Examples

  • The nectar-rich flowers of the banksia attract a wide variety of honeyeaters and native birds.
  • After the bushfire, the heat caused the woody banksia cones to open and release their seeds.

Synonyms: shrub, bush, flora, proteaceae