Four stages

Four stages
The coastal banksia (Banksia integrifolia) is a hardy native often used to stabilise dunes across the East coast of Australia. It was first discovered by the English botanist Sir Joseph Banks in 1770, but had been used as a sweet treat by indigenous Australians for many thousands of years beforehand. Its Autumnal and Winter flowering is very important to local bee populations.
I like to think that the open follicles look like singing mouths.