Four stages, 2013 season
Remnants from earlier seasons, probably 2011/12 (above)
Still holding on, 2011 or even earlier.
Inflorescence (flowers) of the ‘Silver Banksia’ (Banksia marginata) from unopened buds, to full bloom, to residual reminders. The flowers are mostly about 60mm in height. As is the case with most of the Banksia family, the flowers are perfectly symmetrical, until the bees and birds sate their hunger and thirst. Native to various regions of Australia, the smaller flowers can be as soft as a powder puff. From larger flowering varieties, some would make excellent hair brushes, while the toughest could be used as wire brushes to remove rust. Not all are as upright as shown above, unlike the big bad Banksia men of May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie stories!
Footnote: All photos for this post were taken on 22nd & 26th May 2013