 Unlike many Banksia species , B. telmatiaea lacks a lignotuber , so plants are killed by bushfire . However , it is adapted to release its aerial seed bank following a bushfire , and so regenerates rapidly . This behaviour , known as serotiny , makes B. telmatiaea dependent upon a suitable fire regime for successful regeneration ; indeed , excessive fire frequency may be one reason why B. telmatiaea does not occur further south , despite suitable habitat throughout southwest Australia . Unlike most serotinous Banksia species , the seeds of B. telmatiaea are not released immediately after the passage of a bushfire . The follicles open straight away , but at first the seeds are blocked from falling out by the winged seed separator . If moistened , these wings close up , and as they dry they open out again , levering the seeds out of position , making it possible for them to fall . This adaptation ensures that seeds are released only after the first rains following a bushfire . 
