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. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   
MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf
Sharon's Sovenirs 
Our World Tuesday
Pictorial Tuesday 
ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday
The Lovin' Life Team over at: Deep Fried Fruit

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