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Tuesday, 9 November 2021

The Candlestick Banksia - it must be November


Hi everyone. I hope you and yours are doing well. 
It must be November because here in Western Australia the Candlestick Banksias are coming into flower. They remind me of giant Christmas candles. Can you see why? 


Banksia attenuata, commonly known as the candlestick banksia, slender banksia or biara to the Noongar people, is a species of plant in the family Proteaceae. Commonly a tree, it reaches 10 m high, but it is often a shrub in drier areas 0.4 to 2 m high.  The candlestick banksia is found across much of the southwest of Western Australia, from north of Kalbarri National Park in the mid west down to Cape Leeuwin on the south west corner and across to Fitzgerald River National Park on the south coast.  wikipedia

These ones you see below here are growing in a small bush block near my house. They always tell me that summer and Christmas is on its way. 


Here is a closer look at some of the stages of the flower.  The brilliant yellow inflorescences (flower spikes) occur from spring into summer and are up 5 cm (2.0 in) wide and up to 25–30 cm (9.8–11.8 in) tall.

The last image is the nut stage. The 'eyes' burst open to release the seeds. 


The first 2 images here are new leaves unfurling. The rest show the stages of the flower. 

The candlestick banksia is pollinated by and provides food for a wide array of animals in summer months. Several species of honeyeater visit the flower spikes, as does the honey possum, which has an important role as a pollinator. 


That's it from me today. I hope you have enjoyed this little look at the Candlestick Banksia. I have blogged about Banksias before - please click here to explore other varieties I have photographed -   Celebration of the Western Australian Banksia

There are over 75 species of Banksia, all but one occurring naturally within Australia. The greatest concentration of species is found in Western Australia.

You can find some notes here at the Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife - Dpaw.wa- Banksia notes

Thank you so much for stopping by. Do you have a favourite flower this time of year? Perhaps you would like to tell us about it in your comments. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Stay safe and have a wonderful week. 


Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.
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16 comments:

  1. NCSue9 November 2021 at 21:42

    Wow! I've never seen anything like these! Their symmetry and contrast are a treat for the eyes.
    Thanks, Jill, for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/11/more-monarchs.html

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  2. Jackie and Joel Smith9 November 2021 at 23:00

    What a gorgeous bloom! I must have missed your earlier blog posts, but sure enjoyed this one. Can't believe that Christmas is so close!! Where does the time go these days????

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    1. Jill Harrison10 November 2021 at 16:17

      I totally understand what you say about where does time go! I haven't been over to your blog lately either. I will pop over now!

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  3. Emille (Jesh)10 November 2021 at 01:06

    Am almost certain I have never seen these candlesticks blooming in the tree - beautiful Jill!
    Happy to see you at Tue Scribbles:)

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  4. EricaSta10 November 2021 at 01:28

    It's always an adventure and surely a great pleasure too, to read about the nature in your wonderful Region of Australia. Never seen before this plants, I'm each time surprised. What a fantastisc nature... thank you for sharing.

    Yes... we are fine. Thank you for asking. But the next wave of Pandemie knock on our doors. Let us hope for better time.

    Stay healthy and well, dear blogfriend 🤗

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    1. Jill Harrison10 November 2021 at 16:28

      I am so happy to hear you are enjoying our amazing wildflowers.

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  5. Rose L10 November 2021 at 04:29

    Looks like corn cobs in a tree. So unusual and unique. Love seeing the variety of plants there.

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    1. Jill Harrison10 November 2021 at 16:29

      yes they do look like corn cobs! I had never considered it before! :)

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  6. Peabea Scribbles10 November 2021 at 05:33

    You always share the best bits. They do look like Christmas candles on the trees. Enjoy the rest of the week.

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  7. Joanne 10 November 2021 at 06:06

    Oh wow; what an interesting plant!!

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  8. Jo ~ Lifestyle Fifty and ZigaZag10 November 2021 at 09:51

    Absolutely beautiful photos Jill, as always! You are such an expert on Western Australian flora, and although I don't always get to read all your posts, they are such a delight when I do - and I always learn something!

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    Replies
    1. Jill Harrison10 November 2021 at 16:32

      Thanks Jo! We really are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful corner of Australia!

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  9. Angie10 November 2021 at 11:39

    Jill - fabulous photos. I can certainly see why they are called candlesticks! I also think it's interesting how the leaves unfurl, and that "eyes" develop for the seeds. For the seeds, I would have expected it to be more like a pine cone! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

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  10. Shiju Sugunan11 November 2021 at 17:25

    Gorgeous blooms! The symmetry and design is so perfect.

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  11. Jill12 November 2021 at 05:36

    I know I've seen these before but I'm not sure where. Love the stages photos of the leaves unfurling!

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  12. betty-NZ14 November 2021 at 15:39

    Always wonderful things to see in your area.

    Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

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I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I read and very much appreciate every comment and love hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return.