Banksia ericifolia

All 173 species of Banksia bar one, are uniquely Australian. The genus is a member of the Proteaceae family and was first collected at Sydney in 1770 by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander. Fossils found have shown that these incredible plants have been on earth for 59 million years.

Inflorescences on B. ericifolia can grow to 30cm in length. This species is endemic to this area here on the east coast and loved by our honeyeater birds.

Here we are looking down on to the top of an inflorescence.

This may look like a delicate beauty - but it is in fact rather like touching a wire brush. These plants, (even their inflorescences), are as tough as old boots. The task I set myself was to try and present a delicate and soft image of one for a change.