Grevillea victoriae

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Royal grevillea
Grevillea victoriae subsp. victoriae.jpg
Grevillea victoriae subsp. victoriae Mount Buffalo National Park, Victoria
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Grevillea
Species:
G. victoriae
Binomial name
Grevillea victoriae
Subspecies
  • G. victoriae subsp. brindabella
  • G. victoriae subsp. nivalis
  • G. victoriae subsp. victoriae
Synonyms [1]
  • Grevillea victoriJ.Wrigley & Fagg orth. var.
  • Grevillea victoriaeF.Muell. nom. inval., nom. nud.
  • Grevillea victoriaeF.Muell. isonym
  • Grevillea victoriaeF.Muell. var. victoriae

Grevillea victoriae, also known as royal grevillea or mountain grevillea , [2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to mountainous regions of south-eastern continental Australia. It is an erect to spreading shrub with elliptic to lance-shaped leaves, and pendulous clusters of red to orange flowers.

Contents

Description

Grevillea victoriae is an erect to spreading shrub that grows to a height of 0.2–4 m (7.9 in – 13 ft 1.5 in) and has more or less silky-hairy branchlets. Its leaves are elliptic or narrowly elliptic to lance-shaped, sometimes egg-shaped, 60–120 mm (2.4–4.7 in) long and 10–35 mm (0.39–1.38 in) wide. The upper surface of the leaves is more or less glabrous and the lower surface is densely silky- or woolly-hairy. The flowes are red to orange and arranged on the ends of the branches or in leaf axils in pendant, conical to loose, sometimes branched clusters on a rachis 20–90 mm (0.79–3.54 in) long, the pistil 17–26 mm (0.67–1.02 in) long. Flowering may occur in any month, but mainly from August to January in the absence of snow. The fruit is a glabrous follicle 17–20 mm (0.67–0.79 in) long. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described by Victorian Government Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, his description published in his book, Definitions of rare or hitherto undescribed Australian plants in 1855. [6] [7] Mueller discovered the species when he climbed to the plateau of Mount Buffalo in 1853. [8] He described it as "a truly majestic plant, when, by descending into the vallies it assumes a height of 12 feet or more." [9] The specific epithet victoriae was named for Queen Victoria. [5]

Three subspecies of G. victoriae are accepted by the Australian Plant Census and Plants of the World Online:

Grevillea victoriae complex

Upper leaf surface of subsp. victoriae Grevillea victoriae subsp. victoriae leaf upper.jpg
Upper leaf surface of subsp. victoriae
Lower leaf surface of subsp. victoriae Grevillea victoriae subsp. victoriae leaf lower.jpg
Lower leaf surface of subsp. victoriae
Subspecies nivalis Grevillea victoriae subsp. nivalis.jpg
Subspecies nivalis
G. irrasa subsp. didymochiton Grevillea irrasa subsp didymochiton.JPG
G. irrasa subsp. didymochiton
G. sp. 'Mt Burrowa' Grevillea sp. Mt Burrowa.jpg
G. sp. 'Mt Burrowa'

In 1993 Don McGillivray published an outline of 11 races of Grevillea victoriae as well as an associated description of unassigned specimens prompting fellow botanists to take a closer look at the Grevillea victoriae complex. The following year, Grevillea hockingsii from Queensland and G. mollis from New South Wales were segregated from the Grevillea victoriae complex by Peter Olde and Bill Molyneux. Bob Makinson segregated two further species, G. oxyantha and G. rhyolitica , in 1997. [21] Grevillea epicroca , G. irassa and G. monscalana were segregated and G. miqueliana was reinstated as a separate species in the Flora of Australia in 2000. In this publication, Makinson defined a Victoriae Subgroup within the genus Grevillea as follows: [22] [23]

Flora of Australia (2000)McGillivray (1993)Olde & Marriott (1995)Other synonyms
Grevillea victoriaeG. victoriaeG. victoriae
G. victoriae subsp. victoriaeG. victoriae 'race c'
G. victoriae subsp. nivalisG. victoriae 'race d'G. victoriae 'Murray (Valley) Queen'
Grevillea brevifolia G. victoriae 'Unassigned 3', G. victoriae 'Unassigned 6'
G. brevifolia subsp. brevifoliaG. victoriae 'race e'
G. brevifolia subsp. polychroma G. victoriae 'race f' (partially)G. brevifolia subsp. 2 (Mt Elizabeth)
Grevillea parvula G victoriae 'race f' (partially)G. victoriae var. leptoneura, G victoriae var. tenuinervis, G. sp. 3 subsp. 2 (Mt Kaye), G. victoriae 'Mallacoota Inlet' (partially)
Grevillea epicroca G. victoriae 'Unassigned 5'
Grevillea monslacana G. victoriae 'race h'G. victoriae 'Lake Mountain form'G. sp. 2 (Lake Mountain)
Grevillea miqueliana G. miqueliana
G. miqueliana subsp. miquelianaG. victoriae 'race j'G. miqueliana 'Typical form'
G. miqueliana subsp. morokaG. victoriae 'race k'G. miqueliana 'Mt Wellington form'
Grevillea irrasa G. victoriae 'race l'G. sp. aff. miqueliana
G. irrasa subsp. irrasaG. sp. nov. aff. miqueliana 'Form from near Yowaka' G. sp. 'Nullica'
G. irrasa subsp. didymochitonG. sp. nov. aff. miqueliana 'Form from near Yowrie' G. sp. 'Belowra'
Grevillea oxyantha G. sp. aff. victoriae 'A'
G. oxyantha subsp. oxyanthaG. victoriae 'race a'G. victoriae 'Canberra form', G. victoriae 'ACT form'
G. oxyantha subsp. ecarinataG. victoriae 'race b'
Grevillea rhyolitica G. sp. aff. victoriae 'B'
G. rhyolitica subsp. rhyolitica
G. rhyolitica subsp. semivestitaG. victoriae 'race g'
Grevillea diminuta G. diminutaG. diminuta
Grevillea hockingsii G. victoriae 'Unassigned 8' (Queensland)G. hockingsii
Grevillea linsmithii G. linsmithiiG. linsmithii
Grevillea mollis G. mollisG.thymafolia
Grevillea cyranostigma G. cyranostigmaG. cyranostigma

In 2005 Bill Molyneux and Val Stajsic described the new species Grevillea bemboka and G. callichlaena and the new subspecies G. miqueliana subsp. cincta and elevated G. brevifolia subsp. polychroma to species status ( G. polychroma ). [24] A new species, Grevillea burrowa , was formally described in 2015. [25]

Grevillea victoriae sensu stricto

There are currently three recognised subspecies in Grevillea victoriae sensu stricto :

Distribution and habitat

G. victoriae subsp. victoriae in rocky gorge habitat in Mount Buffalo National Park, Victoria Grevillea victoriae subsp. victoriae habitat.jpg
G. victoriae subsp. victoriae in rocky gorge habitat in Mount Buffalo National Park, Victoria

Grevillea victoriae occurs in rocky, mountainous areas of south-eastern Australia in forest, woodland and heath. Associated tree species include Eucalyptus pauciflora and Eucalyptus delegatensis . [28] G. victoriae subsp. victoriae is found on some of Victoria's highest mountains including Mount Bogong, Mount Buffalo, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Mount Howitt, Mount St Bernard and Mount Torbreck. [26] [29] G. victoriae subsp. nivalis occurs in sub-alpine areas around Mount Kosciuszko and nearby ranges from Mount Gibbo and Mount Sassafras in the Victorian Alps northwards to Talbingo in New South Wales. In rare cases it may be seen above the treeline. [26] [30] G. victoriae subsp. brindabella occurs in the Brindabella Range on the border of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Ecology

Eastern spinebills and yellow-faced honeyeaters are known to feed on the nectar of Grevillea victoriae sensu lato . [31] In Kosciuszko National Park, it has been noted that many bird species leave the area when Grevillea victoriae finishes flowering in January [32]

Taxa within the Grevillea victoriae complex are believed to be fire intolerant, regenerating from seed only. [21]

Conservation status

Subspecies victoriae and nivalis are listed as "endangered" under the Victorian Government Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 . [16] [20]

Use in horticulture

Grevillea victoriae has a reputation for being hardy and reliable in cultivation, and has been successfully grown in all states of Australia, as well as New Zealand, the United States and Great Britain. [33] [34] Plants require a well-drained position with full-exposure to sun or partial shade and will benefit from pruning to maintain a more compact shape. Originating from mountainous regions, the species has a high tolerance to frost and snow. It is useful as a screening plant and to attract birds to the garden. [35] In certain parts of North America, hummingbirds feed on the flowers of cultivated plants in the winter. [36]

Plants are easily propagated by seed or cuttings and have been successfully grafted on to Grevillea robusta rootstocks. [34]

Cultivars

Grevillea 'Poorinda Queen' Grevillea Poorinda Queen.jpg
Grevillea 'Poorinda Queen'

A number of hybrid cultivars involving Grevillea victoriae sensu lato have been developed including the following:

Related Research Articles

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Grevillea rosmarinifolia, commonly known as rosemary grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia and naturalised in other parts of the country. It is usually an erect, compact to open shrub with linear, narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblong leaves with the edges rolled under, and loose clusters of pink to red flowers.

<i>Grevillea alpina</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae from Victoria and southern New South Wales.

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.

<i>Grevillea juniperina</i> Plant in family Proteaceae native in Australia

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.

<i>Grevillea obtecta</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Victoria, Australia

Grevillea obtecta, commonly known as Fryerstown grevillea, Elphinstone grevillea or Taradale grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Victoria in Australia. It is a prostrate, clumping or straggling shrub with pinnatifid, pinnatipartite or toothed leaves, and toothbrush-like clusters of light green to yellowish and purplish to black flowers with a dull yellow to pink style.

<i>Grevillea willisii</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Victoria, Australia

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<i>Grevillea burrowa</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae from the north-east of Victoria in Australia

Grevillea burrowa, commonly known as Burrowa grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to a restricted area of Victoria, Australia. It is a spreading shrub with oblong to egg-shaped leaves, and clusters of reddish-pink flowers.

<i>Grevillea pachylostyla</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Victoria, Australia

Grevillea pachylostyla, commonly known as Buchan River grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Victoria in Australia. It is a mounded to almost prostrate shrub with divided leaves, the end lobes triangular, and usually down-curved, more or less toothbrush-like clusters of cream-coloured flowers that turn` pink to red after opening.

<i>Grevillea oxyantha</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to New South Wales, Australia

Grevillea oxyantha is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is an erect to spreading shrub with somewhat silky-hairy branchlets, broadly elliptic to broadly egg-shaped or almost round leaves, and hairy, crimson and pink flowers with a red style.

<i>Grevillea angustiloba</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae endenic to Australia

Grevillea angustiloba, commonly known as dissected holly-leaf grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to southern continental Australia. It is a prostrate, low-lying or erect shrub with deeply divided pinnate leaves and usually red, sometimes orange or pale yellow flowers.

<i>Grevillea parvula</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Victoria and New South Wales,Australia

Grevillea parvula , commonly known as Genoa grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to an area near the border between New South Wales and Victoria in south-eastern continental Australia. It is a spreading to erect shrub, usually with elliptic leaves, and down-turned clusters of pinkish to red flowers.

<i>Grevillea polychroma</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Victoria, Australia

Grevillea polychroma , commonly known as Tullach Ard grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to eastern Victoria. It is a spreading to erect shrub with densely hairy branchlets, egg-shaped leaves, the narrower end towards the base, and down-turned clusters of hairy, cream-coloured, pale yellow or pink to red flowers.

<i>Grevillea miqueliana</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Victoria, Australia

Grevillea miqueliana is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Victoria in Australia. It is an erect to spreading shrub with elliptic to egg-shaped leaves and clusters of red and orange or yellow flowers.

<i>Grevillea brevifolia</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae native to Victoria and New South Wales in Australia

Grevillea brevifolia, commonly known as Cobberas grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is a spreading shrub with hairy branchlets, elliptic leaves and clusters of hairy red flowers.

<i>Grevillea monslacana</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Victoria, Australia

Grevillea monslacana, commonly known as Lake Mountain grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to mountainous areas of eastern Victoria in Australia. It is a spreading to erect shrub with narrowly egg-shaped leaves and clusters of pink to reddish pink flowers.

<i>Grevillea callichlaena</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to eastern Victoria in Australia

Grevillea callichlaena, commonly known as Mt. Benambra grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to a restricted part of Victoria in Australia. It is a spreading shrub with elliptic, egg-shaped or broadly lance-shaped leaves, and uniformly red flowers.

<i>Grevillea neurophylla</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Victoria, Australia

Grevillea neurophylla, commonly known as granite grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is a spreading to erect shrub with linear leaves, and clusters of white to pale pink flowers with a strongly hooked style.

<i>Grevillea epicroca</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to the southeastern New South Wales, Australia

Grevillea epicroca is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to south-eastern New South Wales. It is a shrub with elliptic to lance-shaped leaves and red, silky-hairy flowers.

<i>Grevillea bemboka</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to New South Wales in Australia

Grevillea bemboka is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to a restricted area of far south-eastern New South Wales. It is a spreading to erect shrub with hairy branchlets, egg-shaped to elliptic leaves and red or reddish-pink flowers.

<i>Grevillea coccinea</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Western Australia

Grevillea coccinea is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is a low-lying or sprawling shrub with narrowly wedge-shaped to linear leaves and white, cream-coloured, and red or yellow flowers.

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