Grevillea aquifolium

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Holly grevillea
Grevillea aquifolium 2.jpg
Grevillea aquifolium in the Grampians
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Grevillea
Species:
G. aquifolium
Binomial name
Grevillea aquifolium
Synonyms [2]
  • Grevillea aquifoliumLindl. var. aquifolium
  • Grevillea aquifolium var. attenuata Meisn.
  • Grevillea aquifolium var. truncataMeisn.
  • Grevillea variabilisLindl.
  • Grevillea williamsonii F.Muell.

Grevillea aquifolium is a shrubby or scrambling plant endemic to South Australia and Victoria. Common names include holly grevillea, prickly grevillea or variable prickly grevillea. [3] [4] It occurs naturally in woodland, open forest and heathland. [3]

Contents

Description

The species displays a high level of plasticity in its leaves, habit, and habitat preferences across its natural range. The height of the shrubby forms usually ranges between 1 and 2 metres but can reach 4 metres in some populations, while prostrate forms are also observed in their natural distribution, sometimes growing among shrubby forms. The flowers occur in terminal one-sided racemes, typical of what are commonly referred to as "toothbrush" grevilleas. They are red or occasionally yellowish-green. Flowering in South Australia is recorded as being between November and March, while in the Grampians in Victoria it extends from September to April. [4] The foliage is usually lobed with sharp points on the lobes [3] but some populations have leaves with nearly entire leaf margins. [5] [6]

Taxonomy

The species was formally described in 1838 by English botanist John Lindley in Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia based on plant material collected from Mount William in the Grampians by Thomas Mitchell. [7] Mitchell commented that the species was "a remarkable kind with leaves like those of a European holly, but downy". [8] The specific epithet (aquifolium) is a reference to the common European holly, Ilex aquifolium . [2]

Distribution and habitat

Grevillea aquifolium occurs in the south-east of South Australia and western Victoria. [9] In South Australia, small populations are found at locations such as Carpenter Rocks, Bucks Lake Game Reserve and West Dairy Range. In Victoria the species is found in the Grampians region and northwards to the Little Desert as well as near the south coast at Kentbruck Heath near Portland. [9] Associated tree species in Victoria include Eucalyptus baxteri , Eucalyptus obliqua , Eucalyptus willisii subsp. falciformis and Callitris rhomboidea . [10]

Possible hybrids between this species and Grevillea microstegia and Grevillea montis-cole occur near Mount Cassel and Mount William respectively. [9]

Ecology

Birds are thought to be the primary pollinators of the species, though bees and ants may also have a role. [9]

Conservation status

Grevillea aquifolium is listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This species has a wide distribution where it is locally common, and its population is presumed to be large and stable. Overall, there are no known major threats to this species, however, it is considered to be moderately susceptible to infection by the pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. [1]

Use in horticulture

A number of naturally occurring forms have been brought into cultivation from locations including Carpenter Rocks, Cooack, Halls Gap, Kenbruck Heath, Lake Wartook, Little Desert, Mount William and Serra Road. [3]

'Copper Crest', a hybrid cross of G. aquifolium and G.acanthifolia , is a commercially released cultivar that was selected in Montrose in Victoria in 1975. [11]

Grevillea aquifolium prefers a well-drained position with full exposure to the sun or in partial shade. Mature plants are drought tolerant and have some frost tolerance, but dislike humidity. [3] Plants may be propagated from cuttings taken from semi-mature growth. [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Epacris impressa</i> Plant of the heath family, Ericaceae, that is native to southeast Australia

Epacris impressa, also known as common heath, is a species of plant in the heath family Ericaceae. It is native to south-eastern Australia. French botanist Jacques Labillardière collected the species in 1793 and described it in 1805. Four forms have been identified, but no subspecies are recognised. Growing in heathland, shrubland or open forest, it is generally a small shrub around 0.5 to 1 m tall, with small stiff leaves. The red, pink or white tube-like flowers appear from late autumn to early spring. Honeyeater birds, particularly the eastern spinebill, feed upon the nectar of the flowers. It regenerates after bushfire by seed or by resprouting.

<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 armigera</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae endemic to the south-west of Western Australia

Grevillea armigera, also known as prickly toothbrushes or thorny grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect to spreading shrub with deeply-lobed leaves, the lobes linear and sharply pointed, and grey, green or pale yellow flowers with black to maroon styles.

<i>Grevillea acanthifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Grevillea acanthifolia, commonly known as the Acanthus-leaved grevillea, is a plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to New South Wales. It is a shrub with stiff, prickly, divided leaves and pink to purple "toothbrush" flowers.

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

Grevillea bipinnatifida, commonly known as fuchsia grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a spreading shrub, usually with bipinnatifid leaves and loose clusters of dull pink to crimson flowers.

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

Grevillea victoriae, also known as royal grevillea or mountain grevillea, 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.

<i>Grevillea lavandulacea</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to South Australia and Victoria

Grevillea lavandulacea, commonly known as lavender grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to southern continental Australia. It is a prostrate to spreading shrub with linear to elliptic leaves and clusters of pink to red flowers.

<i>Grevillea barklyana</i> Species of tree in the family Proteceae endemic to Victoria, Australia

Grevillea barklyana, also known as gully grevillea or large-leaf grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Western Gippsland in Victoria, Australia. It is an erect shrub or small tree, with mostly pinnatifid leaves with two to eleven lobes, and whitish pink to fawn flowers.

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

Grevillea microstegia, commonly known as Mount Cassell grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Victoria in Australia. It is a prostrate to low-lying or straggling shrub with deeply divided leaves, the end lobes triangular, and toothbrush-shaped clusters of reddish-brown flowers with a red style.

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

Grevillea annulifera, also known as prickly plume grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to northern Western Australia. It is a spreading to erect shrub with pinnatisect leaves with five to nine sharply-pointed, linear lobes, and cream-coloured to pale yellow flowers.

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

Grevillea montis-cole, commonly known as Mount Cole grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to central-western Victoria, Australia. It is a shrub with divided leaves with 5 to 15 lobes, the end lobes more or less triangular to narrowly oblong and sharply-pointed, and clusters of greenish to fawn and dull purplish flowers.

<i>Grevillea australis</i> Species of plant in the family Protaceae from Tasmania andsouth-eastern mainland Australia

Grevillea australis, commonly known as alpine grevillea or southern grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a spreading to prostrate shrub with simple, narrowly egg-shaped leaves and groups of white to pale pink flowers with a glabrous ovary.

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

Grevillea gariwerdensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Grampians National Park in Victoria, Australia. It is a shrub with more or less linear to narrowly oblong leaves, and white to pink flowers with brownish hairs.

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

Grevillea laurifolia, commonly known as laurel-leaf grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to New South Wales. It is a prostrate, trailing shrub with egg-shaped, heart-shaped or round leaves, and clusters of reddish to deep maroon flowers.

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

Grevillea confertifolia, commonly known as Grampians grevillea or dense-leaf grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the Grampians in Victoria, Australia. It is a spreading, often dense shrub with linear to narrowly oblong leaves, and reddish-purple flowers.

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

Grevillea ilicifolia, commonly known as holly grevillea or holly bush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to southern continental Australia. It is a spreading to prostrate shrub with holly-like leaves with sharply-pointed triangular to egg-shaped teeth or lobes, and clusters of green to cream-coloured and mauve flowers with a pink to 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 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 halmaturina</i> Species of plant in the Proteaceae family

Grevillea halmaturina is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to South Australia. It is a prickly, spreading to erect shrub with sharply-pointed, linear to more or less-cylindrical leaves and large groups of white to pale pink flowers.

References

  1. 1 2 Cameron, D.; Makinson, R.; Olde, P. (2020). "Grevillea aquifolium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T112646048A113309185. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T112646048A113309185.en . Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Grevillea aquifolium". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Grevillea aquifolium". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Grevillea aquifolium". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  5. Makinson, Robert O. "Grevillea aquifolium". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  6. "Grevillea aquifolium". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  7. "Grevillea aquifolium". APNI. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  8. Mitchell, Thomas (1838). "Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia". London: T&W Boone.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Downing, Trisha L. (December 2008). "Morphological and genetic variation in the holly grevillea, Grevillea aquifolium Lindl. (Grevilleoideae: Proteaceae)" (PDF). Australian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter (137): 6–9. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  10. Wild Plants of Victoria (database). Viridans Biological Databases & Department of Sustainability and Environment. 2009.
  11. "Grevillea 'Copper Crest'". List of Registered Cultivars derived from Australian native flora. Australian Cultivar Registration Authority. Retrieved 5 March 2013.