BANKSIA MEN
Australian Folklore
Created in 1914 by May Gibbs
A type of Demon/Fairy
This is a group of evil nature spirits in the shape of BANKSIA SERRATA (a shrub native to Australia). These demons are also referenced to as the BIG BAD BANKSIA MEN. They were the creation of the author May Gibbs in the first decade of the twentieth century in Australia and appear in her fairy tales of SNUGGLEPOT and CUDDLEPIE. BANKSIA MEN have huge eyes, warts on their noses, thick-lipped mouths with whiskers and protruding navels. They are aggressive pursuers and persecutors of the GUMNUT BABIES and are to be fund in groups sitting on a shrubs branches, awaiting the opportunity to do harm.
Source: Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins Encyclopedia