Our friend's unusual banksia
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (349710)
Rockingham, Australia
April 2, 2025 7:02am CST
I wrote about visiting a friend who has multiple health issues. he now injects herself every two months to help with her asthma, and she has a host of allergies including dogs, cats, feathers, gluten, printers ink (which caused her to give up her job some years ago) and many plants including eucalyptus trees.
They have moved into a big block in Donnybrook. The carpets have been removed and a lovely timber floor put down. She now has an induction stove as gas fumes affect her asthma too.
She loves to cook but much of what she cooks she can’t eat. After a yummy morning tea, we were shown the various ice-creams she has made including avocado, strawberry, blueberry, orange and chocolate fudge. I was happy to accept a strawberry ice-cream.
The photo is of a banksia which grows outside the house. It’s very unusual to have the smaller flowers round the base of the main bloom.
16 people like this
16 responses
@terri0824 (5082)
• United States
2 Apr
How horrible to have such allergies. Avocado ice cream sounds interesting...as well as that is an interesting flower.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (49108)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
20h
Looks like an alien creature...
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (49108)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2h
@JudyEv Puts me in mind of Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors...
1 person likes this
@allknowing (143179)
• India
16h
Never heard of anyone making so many ice creams.
Sad for your friend that she has to deal with so many health issues.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (143179)
• India
12h
@JudyEv What I mean is it is not normal to prepare so many ice creams I make ice cream too but just one - could be mango r any other
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349710)
• Rockingham, Australia
11h
@allknowing You're right. I was just adding a bit more to my information. 
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (144731)
• United States
2 Apr
Strawberry ice cream sounds delicious!
Does you friend take a lot of anti-allergy pills or shots? I take three pills a day and used to get two shots once a month for allergies. (My insurance stopped paying for the shots so I'm itchy all the time. *shrug*)
The banksia looks very interesting. Does it have a nice odor?
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (144731)
• United States
23h
@JudyEv I don't usually ask people what meds they take, either. I was curious because I have some of the same problems.
Pretty and I just got home from my doctor visit a few minutes ago. She said she's going to try to get me back on the anti-allergy shots because I'm scratching holes in my skin... 
She also prescribed a shot to help with diabetes, weight loss and kidney functioning.
I hope the banksia smell nice, then.
She also prescribed a shot to help with diabetes, weight loss and kidney functioning.
I hope the banksia smell nice, then.1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349710)
• Rockingham, Australia
13h
@DaddyEvil It must get very 'old' sometimes to be continually battling one thing or another. 
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (113836)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Apr
That is different. I love it.
Homemade ice cream sounds wonderful.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (162873)
• United States
15h
That is a very interesting looking plant.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73000)
• United States
21h
That is a gorgeous plant.
Thankfully, at this point my asthma is well controlled with steroid inhalers and avoidance. That’s not always possible, especially given the way the pollen flies around here in the spring.
Strawberry ice cream (especially homemade!) sounds so good. I have to admit, though, that I love avocado but would be a little (okay, a lot) apprehensive about avocado ice cream.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349710)
• Rockingham, Australia
13h
She does indeed. It's very sad really but she stays remarkably cheerful.
@JudyEv (349710)
• Rockingham, Australia
13h
I thought you might have heard of them. There are a great many species. Some look like proteas. I'm not sure if they have common ancestors.
You could be right. They had trouble finding a house that didn't have too many plants, etc. Have you heard of Sir Joseph Banks? He was a botanist who travelled with Captain Cook. The banksia is named after him.
@LindaOHio (185512)
• United States
9h
I'm sorry she has so many issues. The banksia is really cool looking.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349710)
• Rockingham, Australia
6h
We have some lovely wildflowers and the various banksias are some of the prettiest - and most unusual.
@Beestring (15123)
• Hong Kong
2 Apr
I've never seen a banksia before. Looks nice.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (15329)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
6h
can't believe that's all the same flower, outstanding. it's hard that she cooks but can't eat everything. i am allergic and was a long time and i remmber my mum also removed the carpets but i got better eventually but i was allergic on dust, pollen, feathers, not food. your picked put a good flavour for your ice-cream
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349710)
• Rockingham, Australia
6h
They are beautiful flowers. There are a number of varieties, including a prostrate type.
@snowy22315 (187027)
• United States
2 Apr
I never saw a flower like that before. Sounds like Pipe I'll e with all raw allergies but I think mist of hers are foids.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349710)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Apr
There is usually just a single flower. This is very unusual. I couldn't decipher whoever has the allergies.
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (14915)
• Torrington, Connecticut
2 Apr
That's a beautiful plant
1 person likes this
