Grevillea Facts
Grevillea Facts
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| Interesting Grevillea Facts: |
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| Grevillea can grow in the form of low shrub or large, tall tree. It can reach from 20 inches to 115 feet in height. |
| Grevillea can produce small, needle-like leaves, large, broad leaves or feathery, fern-like leaves, depending on the species. |
| Grevillea produces yellow, orange or red-colored flowers densely packed in roundish or elongated clusters. Individual flowers are composed of colorful sepals divided in 4 lobes and elongated, prominent styles. Grevillea produces flowers with both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers). |
| Grevillea blooms all year round. Flowers are rich source of nectar which attracts birds (especially honeyeaters), which are responsible for the pollination of these plants. |
| Fruit of grevillea is pod-like follicle filled with one or two seed. Ripe fruit splits to release seed. |
| Seed are light-weight and equipped with wings to facilitate dispersal by wind. |
| Grevillea propagates via seed and soft tip cuttings. |
| Nectar from some species of grevillea can be used in human diet. Aborigines consumed fresh nectar (immediately after extraction from the flowers) and used it for the preparation of sugary drink (by mixing nectar with water). |
| Nectar of some species of grevillea contains cyanides (group of toxic substances) that can induce intoxication in humans. |
| Grevillea is named in honor to Charles Greville, one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society. These plants are also known as "spider flowers" or "toothbrush plants" because of the unusual morphology of their flowers. |
| Grevillea is popular garden plant that can be cultivated as ground cover, windbreak, hedge or in containers. |
| Grevillea is often cultivated to provide shade for tea tree in India and Sri Lanka, and shade for coffee in Brazil and Hawaii. |
| Flowers of silk oak (species of grevillea) serve as important source of nectar for the honeybees (for the manufacture of honey) in India. |
| Wood of grevillea, also known as "lacewood", can be used for the manufacture of veneer, furniture, cabinets, fences and guitars. It is also used as a firewood in India. Products made of grevillea wood can induce allergy (dermatitis) in sensitive individuals. |
| Grevillea is perennial plant, which means that it can survive more than 2 years in the wild. |
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