Brisbane additional floral emblem community consultation

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 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 poinsettia grows well in Brisbane.

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.

To reflect the current values and presence of our city and in response to requests from the community, Council is seeking input from residents to help inform the selection of an additional floral emblem that is native to Brisbane, which will sit alongside the red poinsettia.

Although indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the 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.

Brisbane’s ample sunshine and subtropical climate is ideal for a variety of trees, shrubs, groundcovers, grasses and vines. There are many flowering plants with highly visible flowers in Brisbane. Flowering plants do not include plants that produce only cones such as conifers (e.g. pines). Examples of flowering plants that are native to Brisbane include the Lemon-scented myrtle Backhousia citriodora, Golden Candlestick Banksia spinulosa, Bottlebrush Melaleuca (Callistemon) spp, and Midyim Berry Austromyrtus dulcis.

Yes, the additional floral emblem must be a flowering plant that is native to Brisbane. When submitting a species for consideration, residents will also be asked to have their say on other features they think are important to consider. For example, is the species hardy, easy to propagate, does it have a scent, or flower at certain times of year? 

The below table details examples of floral emblems used by other regions.

Over the years, Council has received suggestions from members of the community who have advocated for a native floral emblem. Some more recent species suggestions can be found on the Your Say Brisbane project page. For residents who have previously contacted Council to make a suggestion, we ask that you please submit your suggestion again via the Your Say Brisbane project page, along with the features you think are important to a floral emblem and why you think this species should be chosen.

Yes, Brisbane City Council is asking residents to have their say on the introduction of an additional floral emblem for Brisbane. Have your say and submit your favourite native species for consideration via the community consultation survey. Residents will then be invited to submit a vote of support for their favourite native floral emblem from the shortlist later in the year.

Community consultation will help inform a shortlist of potential native species that represent Brisbane’s local environment, and will be run over three phases. 

Stage 1: 7 March - 18 April 2023

Nominate your choice of flower for the shortlist   

Stage 2: Mid-2023

Provide a vote of support from the shortlisted flowers 

Stage 3: Mid-late 2023

Following the community engagement period, Council will announce the additional floral emblem for Brisbane 

Residents are invited to nominate one species for consideration and will have another opportunity to submit a vote of support for their favourite native floral emblem from a shortlist later in the year.

To assist with the identification of a species, a photo of the plant can be uploaded, even if the name is unknown. The photo will need to be a high-resolution image that shows a clear flower or feature of the species. Additionally, there are a variety of phone apps and websites available that can assist with identification or confirming if a species is native to Brisbane.

To find out more about native plants in Brisbane, visit Council’s botanic gardens, environment centres, bushland reserves or Council libraries.

The new floral emblem will be published on Council’s website and join the official symbols used by Council. Find out more about symbols used by Council.  

For more information, Council’s Contact Centre is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 07 3403 8888.