Honeyeaters, Cockatoos, Nutritious Seeds and the Evolution of Woody Fruited Hakeas

Our next talk for the year on 14th March 2017 will be given by Professor Byron Lamont from Curtin University who will give an overview of the interaction between birds and the evolution of woody fruited Hakeas – “Honeyeaters, Cockatoos, Nutritious Seeds and the Evolution of Woody Fruited Hakeas.”

The Banksia family, of which Hakea is a large component, produces large very nutritious seeds. This is a considerable effort for the plant in our very poor soils. These seeds are often held on the plant for several years making them very attractive to our large Cockatoos. This is of course not what the plant wants, so they, and especially members of the genus Hakea, enclose their seeds in substantial woody fruits to fend off this predation.

Byron is a distinguished professor with over 200 papers on the ecology of the plants of south Western Australia and is the most cited researcher at Curtin University. He has recently with Philip Groom produced the first book for students and the general public on the ecology of our plants entitled, “Plant Life of southwestern Australia: Adaptations for survival”.

Meetings of the Perth Branch of the Society are held on the second Tuesday of each month in the Subiaco Community Centre across the road from Crossways Shopping centre in Bagot Road. Doors open at 7.45pm and the meeting begins at 8pm. Supper is served after the talk and everyone is eligible for the night’s door prize. You do not need to be a member of the Society to attend, entry requiring a $2 door donation.