Silky oak
Grevillea robusta

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

A small to large evergreen tree. It grows to 30 m high. It can spread to 4-10 m wide. It is cone shaped. The branches have a brown rusty covering. The leaf stalk is 1.5-7 cm long. The leaves are feather like. There are 7-15 segments and these segments are sword like and 15 mm wide. The leaf blade is 15-25 cm long by 7-15 cm wide. The edges can be curved back. They are silvery on the underside. The flowers occur as masses of long golden yellow blooms. The flower stalk is slender and 1-1.4 cm long. The fruit are boat shaped and 1.5 cm long by 7 mm wide. There are 2 seeds. The seeds are black. They have wings.

There are 250 Grevillea species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It can grow in temperate and tropical places. It is native to E Australia. It is moderately frost hardy. It can grow in fairly dry conditions. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. In China it is cultivated as an ornamental along roadsides at low altitudes. In India it is used as a shade in coffee at elevations of 1200-2300 m altitude. It cannot tolerate lime and does best in acid soils. Once fully established in can tolerate temperatures down to 10°C. It suits hardiness zones 8-12. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo DR, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Norfolk Island, North Africa, Pacific, Pakistan, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tasmania, USA, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The nectar of the flowers are used to make sweet drinks. The nectar can be sucked directly from the flowers. Caution: It can cause skin rashes and the plants can contain cyanide.

Edible parts

Nectar

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed. They can also be grown from cuttings and grafting.

It is fast growing. It can take 10 years until flowering.

Its other names

Local names

Kagiyo, Khar-daw-hmi, Koomkabang, Meresi, Mgrivea, Mukima, Pohon oakan sutra, Salamander, Silk-Oak Grevillea, Tuggan tuggan, Warra-garria, Yin hua

Synonyms

Grevillea umbratica A. Cunningham; Stylurus robusta (A.Cunn. ex R/ Br.) O. Deg.;