Banksia integrifolia

Great pic :o)

Wow, it sounds almost like my name :) Is it named after famous graffitti painter Banksi? Where does it grow? Have to check google...

It is a native of Australia - we have eucalyptus, pittosporum undulatum and this. The seed pods are unusual and look good in a flower arrangement (I'll have to look for one during the summer). The government is also trying to encourage people to grow protea for export flowers (another Aussie native).

Katarina - no, it's named after Joseph Banks who was the naturalist travelling with Captain Cook when Australia was discovered. He was later Director at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew

Good morning, Wylieinthea, I have never seen it in Europe, now I know why :) Sounds interesting. You said, the government is trying to encourage people to grow protea....what is protea? I did not find translation.
Hi, Andrew, thank you very much for information. I read a lot about Captain Cook, but did not know this :) :)

Proteas are a species found in both Australia and South Africa that are closely related to the banksias. These are difficult to germinate since smoke/fire are needed to trigger it. They are somewhat large and cost about 5 Euros each. There are photos if you go to the bottom of the page, click on "P" and go to page 4.

Quite nice and cheap :) Thank you.