Banksia paludosa (swamp banksia) is a shrub endemic to New South Wales, found

between Sydney and Batemans Bay and in Eden. Two subspecies are recognised: a spreading
shrub to 1.5 m (5 ft) in height, and a subspecies astrolux, up to 5 m (16 ft) high and found only
in Nattai National Park. Native mammals, such as the brown antechinus and sugar glider, are
important pollinators of B. paludosa. Several species ofhoneyeaters visit the flower spikes, as do
ants and the European honeybee. The response to bushfire depends on the subspecies;
subspecies paludosa regenerates from underground lignotubers, while plants of
subspecies astrolux are killed by fire and regenerate from large stores of seed which have been held
in cones in the plant canopy. B. paludosa is sometimes seen in cultivation, with dwarf forms being
registered and sold. (Full article...)
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