 Banksia prionotes was first described in 1840 by English botanist John Lindley , probably from material collected by James Drummond the previous year . There are no recognised varieties , although it has been known to hybridise with Banksia hookeriana . Widely distributed in south @-@ west Western Australia , B. prionotes is found from Shark Bay ( 25 ° S ) in the north , south as far as Kojonup ( 33 ° 50 ′ S ) . It grows exclusively in sandy soils , and is usually the dominant plant in scrubland or low woodland . Pollinated by birds , it provides food for a wide array of vertebrate and invertebrate animals in the autumn and winter months . It is an important source of food for honeyeaters ( Meliphagidae ) , and is critical to their survival in the Avon Wheatbelt region , where it is the only nectar @-@ producing plant in flower at some times of the year . 
