Thursday 16 February 2012

MELBOURNE STREET TREES 9

Banksia integrifolia, commonly known as Coast Banksia, is a species of tree that grows along the east coast of Australia. It is one of the most widely distributed Banksia species, and it occurs between Victoria and Central Queensland in a broad range of habitats, from coastal dunes to mountains. It is highly variable in form, but is most often encountered as a tree up to 25 metres (82 ft) in height. Its leaves have dark green upper surfaces and white undersides, a contrast that can be striking on windy days.


This was one of the four original Banksia species collected by Sir Joseph Banks in 1770, and one of four species published in 1782 as part of Carolus Linnaeus the Younger's original description of the genus. It has had a complicated taxonomic history, with numerous species and varieties ascribed to it, only to be rejected or promoted to separate species.


It is a hardy and versatile garden plant, that is widely planted in Australian gardens. It is a popular choice for parks and streetscapes, and has been used for bush revegetation and stabilisation of dunes. Its hardiness has prompted research into its suitability for use as a rootstock in the cut flower trade, but has also caused concerns about its potential to become a weed outside its natural habitat.


This post is part of the meme Floral Friday Fotos.


Young bud 
Older bud, getting ready to open
Fully open flowerhead 
Seeds have set
Mature and depleted seed head

18 comments:

  1. That is awesome seeing how the plant grows! Don't think I've seen anything like it :D

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  2. beau reportage floral, je connaissais pas cette fleur

    Publicity ;o) Every Friday (and the Weekend), The Challenge "Walk In The Street Photography"

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  3. You must have watched this flowering tree from a to z! I am not sure if I have seen this, but I will check our our Australian Gardens in Huntington Gardens or the LA Arboretum.

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  4. Aha --- it's THAT Nick/nix.
    These seed heads are so decorative.

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  5. Beautifully shown Nick, so interesting to see from start to finish and how different does the end seed look. We really do have the most amazing plants here in Oz.

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  6. I love how you've shown this as well, Nick! Fascinating to be able to "watch" it go from one stage to another! Superb captures! Love the seed heads! You do indeed have some amazing plants in your part of the world! Thanks for sharing!

    Sylvia

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  7. That is a beautiful post. Loved to read it.

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  8. Beautiful post, love to see the different stages.
    Have a great day.
    Mette

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  9. Beautiful -- and interesting post. The leaves look a little like magnolias!

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  10. Amazing. Have a nice week. Greetings from Romania.

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  11. Beautiful! it looks a little of what i know as bottlebrush, but I don't think it is, looking at the early stage of this bloom. Have a great weekend!

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  12. Great to see the flower in all it's stages ...the fully open flower is really quite spekky!

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  13. Wonderful to see.. and many thanks for the info..
    A great post.

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  14. Quite an interesting bloom. I wonder if it's related to the magnolia.

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  15. This post shows me the way how this flower progresses.

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  16. Amazing series! How strange it looks in the bottom pic.

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