Grevillea mucronulata | |
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Near Pheasants Nest | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Proteales |
Family: | Proteaceae |
Genus: | Grevillea |
Species: | G. mucronulata |
Binomial name | |
Grevillea mucronulata | |
Synonyms [1] | |
List
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Grevillea mucronulata, also known as green spider flower or green grevillea, is a species of flowering plant of the family Proteaceae and is endemic to New South Wales in Australia. Described by Robert Brown in 1810, it is found in open sclerophyll forest or woodland around the Sydney region and New South Wales south coast. It grows as a small bush to 3 m (9.8 ft) high and wide, with variable foliage and greenish flowers that appear over the cooler months from May to October. The flowers are attractive to birds.
Grevillea mucronulata is a spreading to erect shrub which usually grows to between 0.3 and 3 metres (1–10 ft) in height. Leaf shape is highly variable, ranging from narrow elliptic to almost round, and anywhere from 0.5 to 4 cm (0.2–1.5 in) long and 0.2–1.8 cm (0.1–0.7 in) wide. The green flower heads, known as inflorescences, appear predominantly from late autumn to mid spring (May to October in Australia). Each is composed of 6 to 18 individual flowers and measures 2.5–5.5 cm (1–2.3 in) long overall. They can produce large amounts of nectar. The 0.8–1.7 cm long perianth is pale- or yellow-green and covered with fine hair, while the 1.8–2.8 cm long style is a red or maroon colour and tipped with a green pollen-presenter. [2] [3] [4] [5]
Several different forms have been described, though none have been given taxonomic status or rank, and further work and review of the species complex is required. [3]
The 'typical form' is found from the Lower Blue Mountains north to Singleton. It is a single-stemmed shrub with ovate leaves that end with a marked tapering apex. Forms around the Hunter River have narrower leaves. [3] It lacks a lignotuber and regenerates after fire by seed.
The 'Cumberland Plain form' grows on heavier Cumberland Plain soils in Sydney's northwest around Richmond and Blacktown. It is a shrub to 30 cm (12 in) high with small round leaves and sessile flower heads. It has a lignotuber, from which it resprouts after fire. [3]
The 'large-leaved form' is found from Botany Bay and the Georges River south to Mittagong. It has large elliptic leaves to 2 cm wide that are convex, which are papery to leathery in texture. The flowers are relatively larger than other forms and markedly hairy. [3] [5]
The distinctive 'Picton form' has narrow elliptic leaves and smaller flower heads. [3] This form resembles G. kedumbensis and may be reclassified as a different taxon with future study. [5]
Joseph Banks collected G. mucronulata in April 1770 at Botany Bay, making it the first member of the genus to be discovered. [3] Daniel Solander coined the (unpublished) binomial name Leucadendroides mitis in Banks' Florilegium . [6] The species was first formally described in 1810 by Scottish botanist Robert Brown in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London , the type specimen having been collected from heathland around Port Jackson. [7] [8] The specific epithet is the Latin diminutive mucronulatus "with a small point" and relates to the small pointed apex of the leaf. [3] Brown also described Grevillea cinerea from the Grose River, and Grevillea acuminata which have since been classified as this species. [5] Plants in cultivation in the early 19th century were called G. acuminata. [3]
Joseph Knight described a Lysanthe podalyriaefolia in his 1809 work On the cultivation of the plants belonging to the natural order of Proteeae , [9] which may refer to this species. However, the description is inadequate to identify the species, and so the binomial name, though it pre-dates Brown's, is invalid. [3]
Interbreeding with cultivated grevilleas, most likely G. rosmarinifolia has occurred in Helensburgh south of Sydney, and the resulting plants have been found growing by the side of the road in disturbed habitats. [3] Natural hybrids are formed with other species including Grevillea juniperina subsp. juniperina around the Pitt Town area, [10] and Grevillea arenaria subsp. arenaria. [7]
Grevillea mucronulata is closely related to Grevillea kedumbensis , which has more granular leaves and a style covered with fine hair and keeled perianth. [3]
Grevillea mucronulata is found in the upper Hunter Region around Singleton, the Sydney region west to Rylstone and Denman, and southward along the coast towards Eden where it is found in isolated pockets. The average yearly rainfall is 600 to 1200 mm (24–48 in), [5] and the range is from sea level to 800 m (2500 ft) altitude. [4] It grows on nutrient-poor soils ranging from sandy to clayey, based on sandstone to shale or rarely granite. [10]
The species occurs in dry sclerophyll forest under such trees as Sydney red gum ( Angophora costata ), blue leaved stringybark ( Eucalyptus agglomerata ), Sydney peppermint ( E. piperita ), red bloodwood ( Corymbia gummifera ), New South Wales Christmas bush ( Ceratopetalum gummiferum ), or in more open woodland under Sydney red gum, scribbly gum ( Eucalyptus sclerophylla ), rough-budded calgaroo ( E. parramattensis ) or small-leaved apple ( Angophora bakeri ). [10]
The flower heads appear to be adapted for bird pollination, as the pollen-holding flower tips are some distance from the petals. [11] Honeyeaters such as the eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) and the New Holland honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) forage among the flowers in the early morning and late afternoon, while honeybees (Apis mellifera) visit later in the morning and earlier in the afternoon. They do not appear to be effective pollinators. [2]
As the green flowers are camouflaged within the foliage, this species has not proved as popular in horticulture as other species within the genus. The flowers are bird-attracting, appear over a long period, and the foliage and bronze new growth are horticultural features. It is tolerant of sun and part shade aspects in the garden. It is readily propagated by seed or cutting. [3] Seeds germinate in 30 to 40 days, though this time might be slightly shortened with smoke treatment. [10] Many plants sold as G. mucronulata are of hybrid origin. [3]
A 50c Australian postage stamp depicting the green spider flower was issued in February 2007. [12]
Grevillea longifolia, commonly known as fern-leaf spider flower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the Sydney Basin in New South Wales. It is an erect to spreading shrub with narrowly egg-shaped to almost linear leaves, and toothbrush-like groups of pinkish-fawn flowers with a pink to red style. It is fairly readily grown in gardens.
Banksia serrata, commonly known as the saw banksia, the old man banksia, the saw-tooth banksia or the red honeysuckle and as wiriyagan by the Cadigal people, is a species of woody shrub or tree of the genus Banksia, in the family Proteaceae. Native to the east coast of Australia, it is found from Queensland to Victoria with outlying populations on Tasmania and Flinders Island. Commonly growing as a gnarled tree up to 16 m (50 ft) in height, it can be much smaller in more exposed areas. This Banksia species has wrinkled grey bark, shiny dark green serrated leaves and large yellow or greyish-yellow flower spikes appearing over summer. The flower spikes, or inflorescences, turn grey as they age and pollinated flowers develop into large, grey, woody seed pods called follicles.
Banksia oblongifolia, commonly known as the fern-leaved, dwarf or rusty banksia, is a species in the plant genus Banksia. Found along the eastern coast of Australia from Wollongong, New South Wales in the south to Rockhampton, Queensland in the north, it generally grows in sandy soils in heath, open forest or swamp margins and wet areas. A many-stemmed shrub up to 3 m (9.8 ft) high, it has leathery serrated leaves and rusty-coloured new growth. The yellow flower spikes, known as inflorescences, most commonly appear in autumn and early winter. Up to 80 follicles, or seed pods, develop on the spikes after flowering. Banksia oblongifolia resprouts from its woody lignotuber after bushfires, and the seed pods open and release seed when burnt, the seed germinating and growing on burnt ground. Some plants grow between fires from seed shed spontaneously.
Banksia paludosa, commonly known as the marsh or swamp banksia, is a species of shrub in the plant genus Banksia. It is native to New South Wales, Australia, where it is found between Sydney and Batemans Bay, with an isolated population further south around Eden. There are two recognised subspecies, the nominate of which is a spreading shrub to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height, and subsp. astrolux is a taller shrub to 5 m (16 ft) high found only in Nattai National Park.
Isopogon anemonifolius, commonly known as broad-leaved drumsticks, is a shrub of the family Proteaceae that is native only to eastern New South Wales in Australia. It occurs naturally in woodland, open forest, and heathland on sandstone soils. I. anemonifolius usually ranges between one and two metres in height, and is generally smaller in exposed heathland. Its leaves are divided and narrow, though broader than those of the related Isopogon anethifolius, and have a purplish tinge during the cooler months. The yellow flowers appear during late spring or early summer and are displayed prominently. They are followed by round grey cones, which give the plant its common name drumsticks. The small hairy seeds are found in the old flower parts.
Grevillea aspleniifolia, also known as fern leaf grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to eastern New South Wales. It is a spreading shrub with linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves and purplish flowers.
The Australian flowering shrub Grevillea alpina has several common names, including mountain grevillea, alpine grevillea, and cat's claws. It is not limited to alpine environments, and in fact is less common at high elevation than low. The species is variable in appearance, with five general forms described: small-flowered, Grampians, Northern Victorian, Goldfields, and Southern Hills forms. It is found in dry forests and woodlands across Victoria and into southern New South Wales. Some forms of the plant are low to the ground, and some become a spreading shrub. The flowers come in many colours, from white to green to shades of red and pink, or a pattern of several colours. The curled flowers are 1 to 3 centimetres in length. It is attractive to nectar-feeding insects and birds.
Isopogon anethifolius, commonly known as narrow-leaf drumsticks or narrow-leafed drumsticks, is a shrub in the family Proteaceae. The species is found only in coastal areas near Sydney in New South Wales, and to the immediate west. It occurs naturally in woodland, open forest and heathland on sandstone soils. An upright shrub, it can reach to 3 m (9.8 ft) in height, with terete leaves that are divided and narrow. The yellow flowers appear in the Spring, from September to December, and are prominently displayed. They are followed by round grey cones, which give the plant its common name of drumsticks. The small hairy seeds are found in the old flower parts.
Grevillea juniperina, commonly known as juniper- or juniper-leaf grevillea or prickly spider-flower, is a plant of the family Proteaceae native to eastern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland in Australia. Scottish botanist Robert Brown described the species in 1810, and seven subspecies are recognised. One subspecies, G. j. juniperina, is restricted to Western Sydney and environs and is threatened by loss of habitat and housing development.
Lambertia formosa, commonly known as mountain devil, is a shrub of the family Proteaceae, endemic to New South Wales, Australia. First described in 1798 by English botanist James Edward Smith, it is the type species of the small genus Lambertia. It is generally found in heathland or open forest, growing in sandstone-based soils. It grows as a multistemmed shrub to around 2 m (7 ft) with a woody base known as a lignotuber, from which it regrows after bushfire. It has stiff narrow leaves, and the pink to red flowerheads, made up of seven individual tubular flowers, generally appear in spring and summer. It gains its common name from the horned woody follicles, which were used to make small devil-figures.
Grevillea pteridifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to northern Australia. It is also known by many common names, including golden grevillea, silky grevillea, fern-leaved grevillea, golden parrot tree, golden tree, manbulu, yawuny and tjummula. It is a shrub or tree usually with pinnatisect leaves, and bright orange-yellow or reddish flowers.
Grevillea shiressii is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to New South Wales where it is found in only two localities near Gosford. It is an erect shrub with oblong to narrowly lance-shaped and small clusters of green to bluish-grey, later cream-coloured flowers with a brownish-maroon style.
Hakea gibbosa, commonly known as hairy hakea or needlebush hakea, is a shrub of the family Proteaceae, and is endemic to south eastern Australia. It has very prickly foliage, cream-yellowish flowers from April to July, and provides shelter for small birds. It has become an environmental weed in South Africa and New Zealand, where it had been introduced for use as a hedge plant.
Xylomelum pyriforme, commonly known as the woody pear, is a species of plant in the family Proteaceae native to eastern Australia. It grows as a large shrub or small tree to five metres high.
Persoonia levis, commonly known as the broad-leaved geebung, is a shrub native to New South Wales and Victoria in eastern Australia. It reaches 5 m (16 ft) in height and has dark grey papery bark and bright green asymmetrical sickle-shaped leaves up to 14 cm (5.5 in) long and 8 cm (3.2 in) wide. The small yellow flowers appear in summer and autumn, followed by small green fleshy fruit, which are classified as drupes. Within the genus Persoonia, it is a member of the Lanceolata group of 58 closely related species. P. levis interbreeds with several other species where they grow together.
Persoonia linearis, commonly known as the narrow-leaved geebung, is a shrub native to New South Wales and Victoria in eastern Australia. It reaches 3 m (9.8 ft), or occasionally 5 m (16 ft), in height and has thick, dark grey papery bark. The leaves are, as the species name suggests, more or less linear in shape, and are up to 9 cm (3.5 in) long, and 0.1 to 0.7 cm wide. The small yellow flowers appear in summer, autumn and early winter, followed by small green fleshy fruit known as drupes. Within the genus Persoonia, it is a member of the Lanceolata group of 58 closely related species. P. linearis interbreeds with several other species where they grow together.
Persoonia lanceolata, commonly known as lance-leaf geebung, is a shrub native to New South Wales in eastern Australia. It reaches 3 m (10 ft) in height and has smooth grey bark and bright green foliage. Its small yellow flowers grow on racemes and appear in the austral summer and autumn, followed by green fleshy fruits which ripen the following spring. Within the genus Persoonia, P. lanceolata belongs to the lanceolata group of 58 closely related species. It interbreeds with several other species found in its range.
Persoonia juniperina, commonly known as prickly geebung, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a small erect to low-lying shrub with smooth bark, hairy new branches, linear leaves, yellow flowers borne singly or in groups of up to forty in leaf axils, and yellowish green to purplish fruit.
Lomatia silaifolia, commonly known as crinkle bush or parsley fern, is a plant of the family, Proteaceae native to eastern Australia. Naturally found in open forest, it grows as a small shrub 1–2 m high with highly pinnate leaves reminiscent of parsley. The white inflorescences appear in summer.
Grevillea parallela, also known as silver oak, beefwood or white grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to northern Australia. It is a single-stemmed shrub or small tree with pinnatisect or pinnatipartite leaves, the lobes linear to strap-like, and cylindrical clusters of white to cream-coloured or pale yellowish-green flowers.