Red Silky Oak, Dwarf Silky Oak, Bank's Grevillea
Grevillea banksii

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2.4-9 m high. It can spread to 2 m wide. The small branches and flowers have a soft brown covering over them. Some coastal forms almost lie along the ground. The leaf stalk is 3-5 cm long. The leaf blade is 7-20 cm long and deeply divided. There are 3-11 segments and these are 50-100 mm long by 4-7 mm wide. The edges curve back. They are brown and silky underneath. The flowering racemes are at the ends and 5-13 cm long. They occur either singly or as 2 or 3 in a group. The flowers are red. The fruit is oval but not straight. It is 1.5-2 cm long and hairy. The seeds have narrow wings.

There are 250 Grevillea species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

A subtropical species. It grows in warm temperate regions. It is cultivated in S China as an ornamental below 100 m altitude. It needs well drained soils. It suits dry limy soils. It can stand light frost. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. In Townsville Anderson BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, China, East Africa, Hawaii, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Pacific, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: There are poisonous hairs on the ovaries of the flowers. These can cause a skin rash.

Edible parts

Nectar

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds grow easily and can remain viable for a couple of years. It produces chemicals which stop plants near it from growing.

Its other names

Local names

Banksova grevilka, Hong yin hua, Kahili flower, Scarlet Grevillea

Synonyms

Stylurus banksii (R. Brown) O. Degener;