Golden Grevillea, Green-leaved Grevillea
Grevillea pteridifolia

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

A slender tree. It grows 5-8 m high. It spreads 3-7 m wide. The leaves are silvery. The whole leaf is 15-43 cm long and it is divided into narrow lobes. These can be 7-30 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. They are fine. The flowers are bright orange or red. The style sticks out. They are 1.5-3 cm long and are arranged along a long stalk 10-20 cm long. These are produced near the ends of branches. The fruit is a somewhat woody follicle. It is 1.5-2 cm long and 1 cm wide. They occur in dense clusters and contain 2 brown seeds.

There are 250 Grevillea species. It is a declared noxious weed in the USA.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. Plants can grow on a wide range of soils. It can stand occasionally water-logging. It grows naturally in open forests often on sandy soils. It is damaged by frost. It cannot stand wet winters. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, East Africa, Indochina, Kenya, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Thailand, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The nectar is sucked from the flowers or shaken into water and drunk. The leaves have also been used to add flavouring when cooking emus.

The nectar is sucked especially by children.

Edible parts

Flower nectar, leaves - flavouring, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or from tip cuttings. The seed coat needs to be peeled off.

Plants are fast growing. They are short lived. They may only live 6-8 years.

Its other names

Local names

Abergubber, Andadjek, Fern-leaved Grevillea, Golden Parrot Tree, Golden Toothbrush Grevillea, Kimberley Christmas Tree, Manbarnku, Manbulu, Silky Grevillea, Tjummula, Watbarr, Wigun, Yawuny, Yinungkwurra

Synonyms

Grevillea chrysodendron R.Br.; Grevillea mitchellii W.J. Hooker;