Prickly Plume Grevillea
Grevillea annulifera
Family: Proteaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 2-4 m high and spreads 1.5-3 m wide. It has many branches. The leaves are 6 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. The leaves are divided into narrow leaflets along the stalk. The leaves can be entire but divided into lobes. They have sharp tips. There are usually 5-9 segments 2.5 cm long. The flowers are creamy-white. The are borne in showy panicles at the ends of branches. The fruit are about 2 cm across. They break irregularly to loose 2 half round seeds.
There are 250-340 Grevillea species. They are mostly in Australia.
Where it is found
It suits light non limy soils. It suits temperate or semiarid places. It requires plenty of sunshine and very good drainage. Plants can tolerate light frosts.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The almond-favoured kernels are eaten.
It is not easily grown under commercial conditions and seed sett is poor. The seeds are nutritious.
Edible parts
Nectar, kernel, nuts
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Cuttings are slow to form roots. The seed are very slow to germinate unless the corky layer is peeled off. Once this white embryo is revealed seed germinate in about 30 days.