Using flowering native plants as food

  • Updated
    10/07/26
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Tectocoris diophthalmus Click to enlarge image
A male cotton harlequin bug, a member of the jewel bug family Scutelleridae. These insects are often common on plants in the hibiscus family, including cotton and ornamental hibiscus. Females of this bug are unusual for insects in that they show parental care by tending their eggs Image: Ric Bolzan
© Australian Museum

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.

Heath Banksia (Banksia ericifolia) Wad-ang-gari

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.