Australia Photo ~
Palm & Boab Trees in Anzac Square, Brisbane
Anzac Square is in the centre of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Associating bottle trees with the Kimberleys in Western Australia, when I first saw these boabs in Brisbane I felt there was an in-congruency.
What I didn’t realize was their symbolic significance.
The boab trees commemorate the Queensland Light Horse Regiments, which served in South Africa’s Boer War (1899–1902).
And the palm trees, which are Middle East date palms, “represent Australia’s success in the Middle East during both World Wars. Palms are also a biblical symbol of victory.”
Here is an image circa 1930, when they were first planted 🙂
I love history and to find out meanings to things we may take for granted everyday. The 1930’s photo is wonderful.
I had walked through this square numerous times not questioning the significance of the tree planting –
It pays to be inquisitive 🙂
They look like the baobab trees in Africa – they call them sausage trees because of the huge brown sausage shaped seeds that hang down from them.
I think they’re the same tree – we have them in Noosa botanical gardens.
Did you know you can eat the seeds? They’re white and taste lemony sour in a good way. A great source of vitamin c and a pleasant way to pass the time while you’re herding those goats!
Or just a taste of the exotic while you’re in the city:)
There was debate whether the bottle trees of Africa and the Kimberleys are connected from Gondwanaland days or whether the big seed pods floated on ocean currents from Africa to land on Australian shores –
Either way – They’re a fabulous tree – and from what you’re saying a delectable gastronomic delight too 🙂
Very interesting, I never knew that about Boab trees. Great post!
The connection between Australia and Africa via these boab trees is interesting both physically (why these trees appear in both parts of the world) and in this case, symbolically 🙂
I love these snippets into my hometown, you bring me true treasure and pleasure and most of all pride!
Thank you, Linda.
Pleased to hear you enjoy them Sally 🙂
I love acknowledging what’s in our back yard ~ and from the sounds of it what was in your’s as a child!
Many thanks for the information on the trees in Anzac Square. Me and my wife Fran visited the Square for the first time 19th Jan 2023, we are very much impressed. I did note however note that one of the boab trees appeared less vigrant, with leaves yellowing slightly. Is this normal ?
Researching boab tree I read that the tree sheds it’s leaves, not because of winter cold, but because of an impending dry period.
I hope this is the case, as it would be very sad in deed to lose one of the trees.
Hi Graeme, thank you for your comment – I’m so pleased to hear you visited the square, but like you I am upset to hear one of the boabs was not looking quite so vibrant ? This last summer has been a lot wetter than usual, which has maybe affected it? We have the winter Dry season coming so will hopefully look better later in the year? (fingers crossed!!)