A clear majority of Australia’s Banksia species occur naturally in southwest Western Australia, exclusively.
One of the most arresting is Banksia prionoties.
Its common name – Acorn Banksia – refers to the appearance of its large flower spikes during the early stages of their flowering.
As you can see here, at that stage the flower spike is both elegant and spectacular, with each spike/“cone” exquisitely clad with hundreds of flowers. (many people are unaware of this reality. They misperceive each spike as “the flower”, singular)
As this post’s photo illustrates, the spike’s “post-flowering” appearance is every bit as spectacular, but rather less elegant.
A similar pattern is true of most Banksias; at some points in their cycles their flower spikes are symmetrical, beautifully coloured… pictures of “perfection”. At other points they are “distorted”, shaggy, drab, “messy”.
The pictured cone/spike is in the early part of infructescence – a noun/verb which refers to the “fruiting” or “seed head” stage of a plant’s reproductive cycle.
Acorn Banksias are very “good news” for gardeners; this is one WA native that is relatively easy to grow, even outside of southwest WA.
Banksia prionoties is very hardy, and is much-loved by honeyeaters and cockatoos.