Brisbane's additional floral emblem
Brisbane City Council asked residents to have their say on the introduction of an additional floral emblem for Brisbane.
Brisbane’s floral emblem
Floral emblems are widely used as symbols of identity and provide a sense of connection to the values and presence of specific geographical areas.
The Red Poinsettia was selected as Brisbane’s floral emblem in 1930 by the people, not long after greater Brisbane became an entity on 1 October 1925. Although indigenous to Mexico, the Red Poinsettia grows well in Brisbane.
Following community consultation in 2023, the native Brisbane Wattle (Acacia fimbriata) was selected as an additional floral emblem.
The Brisbane Wattle joins the beautiful Red Poinsettia as one of the official symbols to represent our city. To find out more about Brisbane’s official symbols visit Council symbols.
Community consultation and engagement
Council undertook a community consultation project to select an additional floral emblem to represent our vibrant and dynamic city as we are today.
Stage one community consultation took place between March-April 2023 to help inform a shortlist of native species that represent Brisbane’s local environment. Residents were then invited to have their say and submit a vote of support for their favourite floral emblem from a shortlist of four species from August-September 2023.
Project timing
7 March to 18 April 2023
Residents nominated their choice of flower for the shortlist.
1 August to 12 September 2023
Residents voted for their favourite shortlisted flower.
4 October 2023
The native Brisbane Wattle was announced as the additional floral emblem for Brisbane.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What is a floral emblem?
What is a floral emblem?
Floral emblems are widely used as symbols of identity and provide a sense of connection to the values and presence of specific geographical areas.
What is Brisbane’s current floral emblem?
What is Brisbane’s current floral emblem?
The Red Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima is Brisbane’s current floral emblem and was selected in 1930 by the people, not long after greater Brisbane became an entity on 1 October 1925. Although indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the Red Poinsettia grows well in Brisbane.
Why is a floral emblem important?
Why is a floral emblem important?
Floral emblems provide a symbolic representation of the values and presence of specific geographic areas. They are one of the many ways residents can connect to a city and its identity, as well as create a sense of civic pride.
Why is Council adding an additional floral emblem?
Why is Council adding an additional floral emblem?
To reflect the current values and presence of our city and in response to requests from the community, Council sought input from residents to help select an additional floral emblem that is native to Brisbane to sit alongside the Red Poinsettia.
Why was the Red Poinsettia chosen as Brisbane’s original floral emblem?
Why was the Red Poinsettia chosen as Brisbane’s original floral emblem?
Although indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the Red Poinsettia grows well in Brisbane and was selected by the people to represent our city in 1930, not long after greater Brisbane became an entity on 1 October 1925.
How did the process of choosing an additional floral emblem work?
How did the process of choosing an additional floral emblem work?
Community consultation was undertaken over three phases.
Stage 1: 7 March - 18 April 2023
Residents nominated their choice of flower for the shortlist.
Stage 2: 1 August - 12 September
Residents voted for their favourite shortlisted flower.
Stage 3: 4 October
The native Brisbane Wattle was announced as the additional floral emblem for Brisbane.
What were the criteria for choosing a native floral emblem?
What were the criteria for choosing a native floral emblem?
During Stage 1 community consultation, residents were asked to have their say on features they think are important to consider when selecting an additional floral emblem along with being native to Brisbane. Key features identified included:
- being hardy and thrives in our climate
- flower colour, length of time of flowering, size and showiness of the flower
- ability to be grown in most locations.
Did some popular flowers not make the shortlist?
Did some popular flowers not make the shortlist?
Some popular suggestions like the Golden Penda, Ivory Curl and Lemon-Scented Myrtle did not make the shortlist as they are not native to the Brisbane Local Government Area or are already an emblem of another Australian council.
What are the native floral emblems for Australia, Queensland, and other Queensland local government areas?
What are the native floral emblems for Australia, Queensland, and other Queensland local government areas?
The below table details examples of floral emblems used by other regions.
| Area Represented | ||
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Acacia pycnantha | Golden Wattle |
| Queensland | Dendrobium bigibbum | Cooktown Orchid |
| Bundaberg Regional Council | Xanthostemon chrysanthus | Golden Penda |
| Cairns Regional Council | Xanthostemon chrysanthus | Golden Penda |
| City of Gold Coast | Banksia aemula | Wallum Banksia |
| Gladstone Regional Council | Barklya syringifolia | Crown of Gold |
| Ipswich City Council | Eucalyptus curtisii | Plunkett Mallee |
| Logan City Council | Banksia integrifolia | Coast Banksia |
| Moreton Bay Regional Council | Banksia aemula | Wallum Banksia |
| Rockhampton Regional Council | Lysiphyllum hookeri | White Bauhinia |
Somerset Regional Council (Note: Two adopted based on previous Esk and Kilcoy Shire Council floral emblems). | Callistemon viminalis Hymenosporum flavum | Weeping Bottlebrush Native Frangipani |
Where can I find out about native plants in Brisbane?
Where can I find out about native plants in Brisbane?
To find out more about native plants in Brisbane, visit Council’s botanic gardens, environment centres, bushland reserves or Council libraries.
Where can I find the announcement of the new floral emblem?
Where can I find the announcement of the new floral emblem?
Find out more about the new floral emblem and symbols used by Council.
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find more information?
For more information, Council’s Contact Centre is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 07 3403 8888.