Australian Flora and Fauna: Plants of an Arid Land

In Hakea sericea the seeds are protected from the heat of fires by the thick wall of the woody fruit, called a follicle. Follicles open after fire, to release the seeds, allowing regeneration. Fire-induced seed dispersal and germination are found in many sclerophylls. In fact, fire is essential for regeneration.

Hakea fruits persist on the shrub for many years, and over time become rough and knobbly. If there is no fire to release seeds, they may be destroyed by wood-boring insects.