A year ago I wrote about my first experiences with the Firewood Banksia, or Banksia menziesii. Funnily enough I called that blog post "Banksias up close: a post script", as reference to a previous blog post about Banksia ericifolia. Rather than being a post-script, I think it may have been the beginning of something new; the beginning of a love affair with Banksia.
Read MoreThe Inhabitants of the Banks courtyard
I used to study and work in the Banks building at the ANU. In the middle of the building, enclosed and hidden away from the rest of the world, there was a wonderful courtyard - an oasis.
Read MoreBanksia up close: a post-script
A month or two ago I wrote a blog post about how beautiful Banksias are. Last month I was in Perth doing fieldwork and saw some even more beautiful Banksias. I just had to write another blog post about my new favourite plant, Banksia menziesii.
Read MoreBanksia up close
Banksia flowers are actually hundreds of tiny flowers grouped together. As the Banksia 'candles' age, they form multiple hard, woody fruits known as follicles. These hard woody fruits act as a protection for the seeds inside. In many species, the follicles are so tough that they require fire to break them open, and release the seeds. Many Banksias flower during autumn and winter, often at a time when not much else is flowering.
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