Thursday 21 February 2013

MELBOURNE STREET TREES 32 - GREVILLEA

Grevillea is a diverse genus of about 360 species of evergreen flowering plants in the protea family Proteaceae, native to rainforest and more open habitats in Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Indonesia and Sulawesi. It was named in honour of Charles Francis Greville. The species range from prostrate shrubs less than 50 cm  tall to trees 35 m tall. Common names include grevillea, spider flower, silky oak and toothbrush plant. Closely related to the genus Hakea, the genus gives its name to the subfamily Grevilleoideae.

Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' is a very popular grevillea cultivar which has been planted widely in Australia and other countries.It is a shrub that grows to 2 metres in height and up to 3 metres width and has attractive divided leaves The red inflorescences are about 15 cm long by 9 cm wide.

The cultivar, which is a cross between a red-flowered form of Grevillea banksii and G. bipinnatifida, was selected by David Gordon in Queensland for its prolific and sustained flowering. Trials, which began in 1963, demonstrated stability in its characteristics and it was released to the nursery trade in 1968. It was registered in 1973 under the name 'Robyn Gordon' in memory of a family member who died in 1969, aged 16.

Along with a number of other grevilleas, the cultivar may cause allergic contact dermatitis for certain individuals who come into contact with it.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.





11 comments:

  1. Grevillea. Now that's easy to remember. Pretty!

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  2. Such lovely, different flowers and great captures as always, Nick! Enjoy your weekend!!

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  3. i think i have seen this flower here but i can't remember where.:p
    the leaves and flowers are pretty.

    Costus

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  4. The flower is beautiful, but I think I like the shape of the leaves even more.

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  5. It's lovely and I think I've seen something like that here in Florida. I'll be careful if I see it, doesn't sound like one that should be picked!!

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  6. The spirals look so out of control! What lovely photos.

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  7. Beautiful tree and that's a cute house.

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  8. Very beautiful pictures and flowers!!

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  9. Wow! what a lovely flower and interesting plant leaves.
    Have a great weekend,
    Bev

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