Royal Cuban Palms

The City Botanic Gardens are home to a vast array of flora and fauna. One such feature, near the Alice and Edward Street Entrance to gardens is a circle of royal Cuban palms (Roystonea regia). These were planted in the early twentieth century by the then curator, Ernest Walter Bick. The palms are indigenous to Cuba, and can grow to a height of 40 metres and live for 200 years.

Historically, the area where the palms stand was once a cricket ground when it was part of the former Queen's Park. Queen's Park was incorporated into the botanic gardens in the 1860s, although it remained as a sports field until it was officially gazetted in 1916. At that point, the gardens was extended to close to 50 acres, a substantial area of city land. In 1919 the lower end of Queen's Park was filled with soil from the newly graded riverbank to reduce flood risk. The circle of royal palms were planted here at that time.

It is fantastic to stand in the midst of these towering palms as they encircle you. These shots were taken just before this weeks deluge of rain in the city, and I can assure you that the whole of the gardens loved the great soaking they received. I love walking through this area of the gardens. It is almost like an organic Stonehenge, as you'll often see people engaged in somewhat strange activities in the middle of the circle. I mean sporting activities, of course! Oh, and passionate embraces!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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