Another amazing Australian plant.

This is another Australian plant, we saw, when we were in Queensland. It's the Banksia, named after Sir Joseph Banks, who was Captain Cook's botanist. Archaeological evidence suggests that banksias or Banksia-like plants have existed for over 40 million years. The first humans to discover and make use of Banksia plants were the Australian aborigines who used the nectar from the flowers as part of their diet.


The first Europeans to observe banksias were probably Dutch explorers who made several landfalls along the West Australian coast during the 17th and early 18th centuries. No botanical collections were made, however, until the discovery of the east coast of Australia by Captain James Cook in the Endeavour in April 1770..

 
 
 
 

In Western Australia the Giant Banksia is found and used to make souvenirs, which are popular with tourists. It stands to reason that we bought several of these souvenirs like coasters, a vase and a pencil container.
click to enlarge

 
 
 
 

Click to enlarge these photos.
Here you see the flower and the beginning of the cone which will develop into a far bigger one after a while.

Today’s Flowers is hosted by Luiz Santilli Jr. Thank you, Luiz!