Using flowering native plants as food

Indigenous people in the Sydney region, such as the Cadigal people, used flowers as an energy source, including the Heath Banksia (Banksia ericifolia). This information forms part of the Plant2pollinator resources.

At certain times of the year the flowers of wad-ang-gari, or heath banksia, are literally dripping with nectar. The Cadigal people knew exactly when to collect the flowers and soaked them in water to produce a sweet, high-energy drink. Find more information about this species on the Royal Botanic Gardens factsheet: Bush foods of the Cadigal people.