The species doesn’t have a lignotuber, and so is killed by fire and regenerates from seed. It also depends on fire for regeneration; if fires are too infrequent, populations age and eventually die out.  If fires are too frequent they also threaten the species.  It takes around six years to reach maturity and flower.

 

Banksia ericifolia grows on Australia's eastern coastline, near areas of dense human habitation, and is subject to fires from arson, accidental causes and prescribed burns.

 

These activities reduce the intervals between fires and has resulted in the disappearance of the species from some areas.

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The hooks on the flower styles may help to stick pollen to the fir of small marsupials.