Its rosemary like foliage readily identifies it.

It flowers in autumn and winter, when its orange to red flower spikes provide a rich supply of nectar for birds.

The flower spikes are around 20cm in length, although they can be up to 30cm.

The image on the left shows the ericifolia's cone after flowering. The light brown oval shaped capsules (which are know as follicles) contain two winged seeds.

The follicles are stimulated by fire, including smoke, to release the seeds.

The image on the right shows opened follicles.

Unlike Old Man Banksia, the Heath Banksia is destroyed by fire. That is, it can not regrow from lignotubers underground - only from seeds.

This poignant image shows a Heath Banksia's cone and several seedlings.

The seedling's leaves are very distinctive and quite different from the parent's. They're also lighter in colour.

The photos were taken in the Lane Cove and Blue Mountains National Parks.