What sort of brush did you say?

Today's pic wasn't difficult to choose. Overnight my (very handsome - as you'd expect) startling white legs were savagely attacked by garden sand-flies. First choice pic was a close up shot but it looked more like a medical journal illustration or a jockey's silk. It was banned by the family.

Next choice was a magnificent 1985 Denning Interstate touring coach languishing in the back of Robert Collins' garage at Bass Hill. Now it's a beautiful shot to me but the family firmly said "NO". Have you noticed that since my daughter became involved in the pic selection I've had very little say in the Blip that appears? Blipping by Committee - a new section perhaps?

So the shot I'm being allowed to go with today is a 'pretty pic' of a Bottle Brush Plant. We've already had the debate about whether it's a BB plant or a Banksia. Even the Australians seem unsure but the popular opinion is it's of a BB. Some say only the birds that eat the berries really know the difference!


Callistemon citrinus - Crimson Bottlebrush
This hardy shrub is probably the best known bottlebrush and is widely cultivated. The bright red flower-spikes appear in summer and autumn. Crimson Bottlebrush grows well in wet conditions and usually reaches 4 m. Plants should be lightly pruned and fertilised after flowering. Neglected or mis-shapen plants respond to hard pruning.

Banksia belong to the PROTACEAE family while Bottlebrush (Callistimon) belong to the MYRTACAE family. Banksias have distinct seed cones while Bottlebrushes have individual seed capsules clustered along a branch.

Posted by tonyw The Shire NSW (My Page) on Sat, Oct 23, 10 at 17:11
Okay, here is a really simple test: simply grasp the flower with your hand, if the flower feels soft then its a bottlebrush, if it feels stiff its a banksia.
PS: Before grasping the flower check for bees!!