The focus of this reflection is the botanical and historical origins of the Australian plant genus Banksia. This includes an exploration of its presence in the fossil record and its enduring role in Australia’s natural landscapes. Until recently, my understanding of native plants was largely visual and surface-level — I appreciated their appearance and occasionally noted their names. However, learning that Banksia has been part of the Australian environment for tens of millions of years encouraged me to reconsider how I view native flora in terms of deep time and land-based heritage (Campbell, 2019).

Fossilised Banksia leaves and cones have been discovered in southern Australian National Parks, with some dated to approximately 60 million years ago (Figure 1). These findings demonstrate that Banksia has long been established as part of the continent’s natural vegetation. The resemblance between fossilized and extant Banksia leaves supports the idea that the genus has deep evolutionary roots, originating in ancient Gondwanan landscapes (Greenwood, Haines & Steart 2001). I was surprised by how far back this connection goes and how such records allow scientists to interpret the geological and climatic history of the regions where these fossils were found (Carpenter et al. 2010).

Through the process of researching Banksia, I began to think more critically about how plants can act as historical indicators, reflecting the characteristics of the environment in which they have long existed. The presence of Banksia in both fossil and modern landscapes demonstrates continuity and persistence, which prompted me to think of the Australian flora not simply as local or familiar, but as deeply rooted in time (Carpenter, Jordan & Hill 2016).

I also noticed how Banksia species are not evenly spread across the continent. A large number are found in south-western Western Australia, while others are distributed along the east coast (Fig 2). Observing this made me reflect on the geographic history of the Australian continent, including the impact of environmental conditions over long periods. The physical distribution of Banksia species today seems to reflect long-standing geographical patterns, which may relate to shifts in climate and landscape structure throughout time (Harvey 2012).

Engaging with this material helped me connect my university learning with real-world observations. I realised that species like Banksia, which I often encounter on bushwalks or in reserves, are not only common plants but also carriers of deep ecological and geographical narratives. This changed my perception of plants from being passive features of the scenery to being active indicators of Australia’s environmental history.