Mainly Banksia serrata

On 27 February we went for another visit to the Track Opposite the Pony Club (TOPSY).  My main aim was to look for signs of regrowth in the Banksia serrata (Old Man Banksia).  Some of the trees were completely burnt.

With others there seemed to be growth occurring at the base of the stem. 

The most surprising thing was seeing what appears to be epicormic growth  - ie stems emerging from buds under the bark - in some of the trees.  This is a well known habit for eucalypts, but I wasn't aware of it with Banksias.

I liked this cone with just a few open seed cases (if that is the right term).  It looks as though the tree was just about to put forth a new seasons cones - with the emphasis on 'was'.

A more standard set of cones.

I could see no signs of Banksia seedlings around the trees.  Possibly its a bit early yet.