Banksia ericifolia

Over the years, the more I have learned, planted and tended, the more my intrigue and love for Banksia has grown.

 

All 173 species bar one, are uniquely Australian. The genus is a member of the Proteaceae family and was first collected at Sydney in 1770 by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander. Fossils found have shown that these incredible plants have been on earth for around 59 million years.

 

I grow several species and right now that it is autumn, I am thrilled daily to see the first inflorescences on my Banksia ericifolia, planted just last year, the flower heads of which can grow to 30cm in length. This species is endemic to this area here on the east coast and loved by our honeyeater birds.

 

Here we have a superior view/perspective, down on to the top of the inflorescence.

 

This may look like a delicate beauty - but it is in fact rather like touching a wire brush. These plants, (even their inflorescences), are like old dinosaurs. The task I set myself was to try and present a delicate and soft image of one for a change.

 

Link to same perspective, but with less depth of field and sharper detail:

 

www.flickr.com/photos/112623317@N03/52447360703/in/datepo...

 

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