Yes, I find the cycle quite fascinating to watch… particularly the emergence from the sheath/pod, which looks so much like the emergence of some alien spider-creature…. fascinating.
We have these in a lot of Brisbane gardens. I love watching their life cycle through the year. The part with the flowers starts out wrapped in a sheath like a corn cob. It drops off, the branches unfurl and the little white flowers (that drop everywhere) appear, much loved by bees and other pollinators. The fruits develop quite slowly – green, then red, at which point the birds come. Finally the structure detaches itself on a bark-like hoop, hangs for a bit then drops away, leaving a new ring on the trunk. Then it all starts again almost straight away.
Nearing the end of a Saturday morning hike. Was time to introduce the young fellow to some of the higher ground in Santa Barbara. It was a hit! #hikingsantabarbara
Early morning baking on Monday. A staff member had a morning birthday breakfast and it was a delight to being something along! Can’t go wrong with orange-cranberry scones (gluten-free). #foodanddrink #ucsbphysics
Last night saw one of the more spectacular of the spaceX launches viewable from our front yard nearly every week these days. Just after sunset gives nice backlighting. You can *actually see* the satellites being launched at the end. Bonkers to see this so routinely. #space
Nearing the end of a Saturday morning hike. Was time to introduce the young fellow to some of the higher ground in Santa Barbara. It was a hit! #hikingsantabarbara
Early morning baking on Monday. A staff member had a morning birthday breakfast and it was a delight to being something along! Can’t go wrong with orange-cranberry scones (gluten-free). #foodanddrink #ucsbphysics
Last night saw one of the more spectacular of the spaceX launches viewable from our front yard nearly every week these days. Just after sunset gives nice backlighting. You can *actually see* the satellites being launched at the end. Bonkers to see this so routinely. #space
Where can I buy it? It is amazing…
Neil,
Yes, I find the cycle quite fascinating to watch… particularly the emergence from the sheath/pod, which looks so much like the emergence of some alien spider-creature…. fascinating.
I love the figbird picture. Thanks!
-cvj
We have these in a lot of Brisbane gardens. I love watching their life cycle through the year. The part with the flowers starts out wrapped in a sheath like a corn cob. It drops off, the branches unfurl and the little white flowers (that drop everywhere) appear, much loved by bees and other pollinators. The fruits develop quite slowly – green, then red, at which point the birds come. Finally the structure detaches itself on a bark-like hoop, hangs for a bit then drops away, leaving a new ring on the trunk. Then it all starts again almost straight away.
Here’s a figbird enjoying the fruits on mine.
Why, yes it is Archontophoenix alexandrae, and indeed it is in my garden! I love it when it produces these….
-cvj
Looks like Archontophoenix alexandrae.
Quite remarkable, though one could not help noticing its resemblance to the cyber-savant Jaron Lanier’s barnet. Is this in your garden?