Banksias of Australia

With 170 species and all but one endemic to Australia, Banksias are some of the most iconic Australian plants. With their distinctive flower pods and spikes they are easy to distinguish, and some of them are large and spectacularly colourful. They got their name from the English botanist Sir Joseph Banks, who collected the first specimens and took them back to England after the first expedition of James Cook in 1770. The sweet nectar from Banksias, was also used by the Aboriginal people to make a drink.

I am beginning to fall in love with this Australian plant. From the inflorescence in early bud, to its spectaclular head in full bloom, and up to the time they release their seed from their cones. Their cones remain firmly closed on the plant for many years until fire causes for them to open and the seed to release.

No wonder bushfires are prevalent around here. It's not that people deliberately put our forests on fire. It's mad not to think that by doing so contributes to the cycle of nature.

Striking when viewed large.