This is the New South Wales Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum is a small genus of 5 species, all occurring in Australia and New Guinea) and is a very popular cut flower for Christmas decoration. They are one of the flowers grown on this native flower farm I am house sitting during Christmas, so I have picked a bunch to put on our Christmas table.
Towards the end of December this hardy and reliable plant puts on a great display of red ‘flowers’ – however all is not what it seems. The true flowers are white in colour and fairly insignificant and are seen in late spring to early November. After pollination by flies and native bees, the sepals, which are the outer series or whorl of flora leaves that protect the flower bud, enlarge and turn deep pink to red in colour enclosing the fruit, a single seed, a nut and the whole fall when ripe.
I also picked Kangaroo Paw and Protea to make a cheerful display.
Sending thoughts and best wishes to all my Blogging friends from all around the world. It has been a pleasure “chatting” with you all and sharing photos and stories about your lives and countries.
Looking forward to joining you all via the wonderful world of WordPress in 2016.
gypsy life 
Oh P – your holiday bouquet is one of the best I have seen – the only one better was a make up bouquet a florist sent my MIL cos they missed our order – and I think I forgot that flies also help pollinate – anyhow – happy holidays to you and J
LikeLike
That is a lovely compliment Y. But those beautiful native flowers are a joy to just pop in a vase. Best wishes for 2016 to you and your family
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh – so it is that easy – well I can see why they are a holiday favorite! and hard to believe another year is over….
LikeLike
Only 3 hours to go over here…
LikeLiked by 1 person
woo hooo
LikeLike
:), Well it is here now… Best wishes to you…
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️❤️❤️🌸🌸🌸🎧🎧🎧
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that bouquet with the protea is gorgeous. I have a Christmas centerpiece I made with proteas too. I love them. Happiest & Healthiest New Year to you and Jack!
LikeLike
All the best to you and Jim for 2016 and I look forward to tagging along around the world with you both.
LikeLike
Yet another skill, Pauline. That arrangement is superb, and so is the information about a very familiar tree. We always had a sprig of Christmas bush on the plum pudding when I was a child, so you’ve activated memories too. A wildflower farm sounds like the perfect place for you. I’m looking forward to spending time with you in 2016, as I have in 2015. All the best to you and Jack.
LikeLike
Thank you Meg for the kind comment, but not really a skill they just arranged themselves when I bunched them together. We are planning a “quiet” at home year for 2016 (maybe!!!) Look forward to following you back to Poland. Are you still going for an extended stay?
LikeLike
Six months and then a reassess. My daughter has extracted the paperwork for a visa from the bureaucracy and she’ll bring it when she comes in two weeks. And I bet the flowers wouldn’t have “arranged themselves” in my hands quite so beautifully!
LikeLike
Sounds like an interesting year ahead for you.
LikeLike
May your upcoming year be as splendid as that bouquet!!
LikeLike
Thank you Brenda, what a lovely comment. I Look forward to sharing the coming seasons with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wishing you a very joyous Christmas time.
LikeLike
And to you too Marilyn. How is the house sale going?
LikeLike
A beautiful Christmas bouquet indeed. I hope your Christmas was wonderful!
janet
LikeLike
Nice and quiet this year Janet. best wishes to you for 2016
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope your Christmas Day was full of love and joy, Pauline (and not too hot) 😉 xxxxx
LikeLike
Had perfect weather…. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful bouquet ~ thank you for the floral inspiration.
Happy Christmas to you & Jack! xx
LikeLike
Hope your Christmas was a good one Del, best wishes for 2016
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pauline!
Know you’re enjoying your current digs & may you have many more in the coming New Year!
LikeLike
Thanks Del
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that is a beautiful bouquet PP, and you are so lucky to be staying on a native flower farm! I had no idea that proteas are native to Australia, always thought they were South African, but having looked it up I see that there are two branches and Australian ones belong to the Grevillea family as do ones in South America. So I have learned something new today. Again. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Kim is looking into some new Australian strains of the protea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous Christmas bouquet, Pauline! Hope you have a great Christmas, and best wishes for 2016
LikeLike
Thanks Sue hope you are well settled into your new home by now and all goes well for you in 2016
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Pauline!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nw that is one bouquet Pauline 🙂
Happy Christmas to you and Jack !
LikeLike
Thanks Poppy and to you too.
LikeLike
Lovely! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
LikeLike
Thanks Leya and hope you had a great day. Best wishes for 2016
LikeLike
Best wishes for 2016 for you and yours as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, how unbelievable to have your very own Protea as star of the show! So glad Jack enjoyed his lunch 🙂 🙂 I still have ours to cook. My very best wishes for 2016 and thanks so much for all your lovely company.
LikeLike
Proteas are very spectacular and there are trees full of them just coming into flower. I’m guessing it will be all hands on deck to get them to market when Deidre and Kim get home next Friday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love you Christmas and all year.
The flowers are beautiful but lunch was fabulous. _/\_
LikeLike
You are a darling companion Jack and so pleased you enjoyed the lunch, it is a pleasure to do things for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What lovely tropical Christmas bouquet – thanks! Hope you have a wonderful holiday time.
LikeLike
Thank you I enjoyed picking these lovely flowers. Best wishes to you for 2016
LikeLike