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November 27, 2008 : Isopogon formosus
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Plant Family / Families: Proteaceae
Scientific Name and Author: Isopogon formosus R. Br.
Institution: University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum
Name Location: Santa Cruz, California, USA
This photograph is from the University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, taken during my spring trip. I was a few days early to catch this rose cone flower or drumstick plant in full bloom, but was still attracted by it enough to take a photograph. Drumstick plant refers to the globular fruiting heads found on the ends of this shrub's branches (photograph).
Native to southwestern Australia, this is one of about thirty species in the genus (all native to Australia). The Growing Native Plants guide for Isopogon formosus and the Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants page on Isopogon formosus both contain excellent information about the species, particularly the cultivation. They also contain references to the etymology; it's always worth repeating that formosus (and its variants) means "beautiful" (I wonder what a garden containing only plants with the epithet formosus would look like...).
A couple comments about the Arboretum at Santa Cruz. It has an excellent collection of southern hemisphere plants, particularly the Proteaceae (like today's species) and conifers. I regret not taking many photographs of the conifers, but the weather wasn't as predicted that day and the light was harsher than I was expecting. Do visit if you ever get the chance!
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at November 27, 2008 6:00 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Rick at November 27, 2008 6:54 AM
um sonho de belo
Posted by: SIUSI at November 27, 2008 8:02 AM
mmmmmmm ... delicious!
Posted by: Jacqueline at November 27, 2008 8:04 AM
So now I'm wondering if formosan termites are the most beautiful termites?
Posted by: Andrea at November 27, 2008 8:21 AM
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum is one of the underappreciated botanical jewels of the Bay Area. Their conifer collection is stunning and they house the largest collection of Australian plants outside of Australia *and* the largest collection of Proteaceous plants outside of their native ranges.
Here is a slideshow of all my shots from the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum.
Posted by: Eric in SF at November 27, 2008 8:49 AM
Rick, here is a horizontal shot of today's subject.
Posted by: Eric in SF at November 27, 2008 8:51 AM
To answer Andrea's question -- I believe that Formosan termites are so named because they occur naturally on the island of Formosa (now called Taiwan) previously named Ilha Formosa which is Portuguese for beautiful island.
Posted by: Bob Wilson at November 27, 2008 1:31 PM
I have kept this plant alive in my garden (Victoria, Australia) for nearly two years now. No mean effort for a Western Australian plant in Victoria! It flowered okay last spring but due to a dry spring this year I am still waiting for it to flower. It's covered with small tight buds that look like they won't open until summer.
Posted by: Melanie Kinsey at November 28, 2008 12:27 AM
Marvelous Color!
Posted by: A at November 29, 2008 9:15 AM
this is a lovely start to the holidays
we need lovely flowers and trees
in this world of ours
may we see your gardens this christmas
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at December 1, 2008 12:36 PM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
Beautiful! Would you happen to have a horizontal photo of Isopogon formosus that you would be willing to share with me. I'd like to use it as a photo for my desk top. Many thanks.