| Abstract: | Seed release in two serotinous and two nonserotinous Banksia species from southwestern Australia increased many fold when burnt cones were subjected to wet-dry cycles compared with those remaining air-dry. The response was temperature-dependent, increasing markedly in treated cones of B. leptophylla as temperature was lowered from 30 to 15°C. This episodic wetting requirement at cool temperatures for prolific seed release implies that, following summer fruit opening, dispersal is delayed until the onset of late autumn/early winter rains when conditions are suitable for germination (optimum at ～15°C) and recruitment. Seed loss from post-dispersal predation and exposure to high summer soil temperatures also would be minimized. |
