The prominent position and striking colour of "Telopea speciosissima" and many of its relatives within the subtribe Embothriinae both in Australia and South America strongly suggest it is adapted to pollination by birds, and has been for over 60 million years. Honeyeaters, in particular the New Holland honeyeater ("Phylidonyris novaehollandiae") and the crescent honeyeater ("P. pyrrhopterus"), are frequent visitors. However, a field study conducted at Barren Grounds showed New Holland honeyeaters to carry relatively little pollen. The eastern pygmy possum ("Cercartetus nanus") also forages among the flowerheads.