A tree of Banksia serrata, (Saw Banksia, Old Man Banksia), a member of the Proteaceae, growing at Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. Seen here are a fl

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A tree of Banksia serrata, (Saw Banksia, Old Man Banksia), a member of the Proteaceae, growing at Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. Seen here are a flower (yellow, left) and a mature fruiting cone (front) with valved capsules containing seeds. The leaves have serrated edges, giving rise to one common name, and the appearance of the cone inspires the other. Banksia is a genus limited to Australia, and is named after Sir Joseph Banks, who collected plants on James Cook's first expedition to Botany Bay in 1770. Banksias are adapted to survive cones are persistent on the trees, and the valves of the capsules remain closed until fire causes them to open and release the seeds.

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Size: 3468px × 5212px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, adapted, australia, banks, banksia, banskia, bay, botany, capsule, cone, cook, fire, james, joseph, man, plant, proteaceae, seed, serrata, sir, valve, warrandyte, wildfire