botanical

Fiery flowers of the silky oak, Grevillea robusta. Silky oaks are older than dinosaurs and literally drip nectar – but watch out for the cyanide. Of all the grevillea, the silky oak is the one that catches my eye. It’s the largest and tallest of the species, reaching up to 30 meters. They’re now blooming along the east coast and in some inland places – like huge orange light bulbs dominating the skyline. Grevilleas literally drip nectar, much to the delight of native birds and bees. Aboriginal people enjoyed the sweet nectar straight from the plant or mixed with water — the original lolly water. But you have to know which species to taste as some, including the silky oak, contain hydrogen cyanide that could make you ill. Like other grevilleas the silky oak also contains tridecyl resorcinol, which causes an allergic reaction leading to contact dermatitis. The chemical is similar to the toxicodendron in poison ivy. Silky oak timber was widely used in colonial times. Then it was marketed as “lacewood”, and that name persists today among some who use it. Source: theconversation.com/silky-oaks-are-older-than-dinosaurs-a...

Nymphaea gigantea is a species of aquatic perennial herbaceous plant native to Australia and New Guinea.[2][3] N. gigantea is a tropical and sub-tropical species that establishes tubers in the muddy bottoms of still waters. Petals can be seen to be a light purple-blue when they first blossom. As they become mature plants they become a light blue, or can even be white.[4] Due to its blue-white color, it is also known as “Blue Cloud", and typically flowers between the months June and July. Source: inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/334777-Nymphaea-gigantea

Cinerarias are beautiful flowering plants with tight clusters of daisy-like flowers surrounded by large green leaves. There are many beautiful varieties to choose from including: Florist’s cineraria – colorful flower clusters including dark pink, purple and blue Starships – a popular variety that grows 12 inches (30 cm) tall, with large colorful flower heads Dwarf cineraria – grows 7 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) tall, with single daisy-like flowers. Source: www.urbangardengal.com/grow-cineraria-plants/ Cinerarias are also a great artistic inspiration.