Banks' grevillea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banks' grevillea |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Grevillea
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| Species: |
banksii
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Grevillea banksii is a beautiful plant known by many names. Some common names are red silky oak, dwarf silky oak, and Kahili flower (in Hawaii). It belongs to a large group of plants called Grevillea, which are part of the diverse Proteaceae family. This plant originally comes from Queensland, Australia. For many years, it was a very popular plant for gardens. There is also a white-flowered version called white silky oak.
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How it Got its Name
The plant Grevillea banksii was first described by a botanist named Robert Brown. He named it banksii to honor Sir Joseph Banks. Sir Joseph Banks was a famous explorer and botanist.
What it Looks Like
Grevillea banksii can grow as a tall, thin shrub or a small tree. It can reach up to 7 meters (about 23 feet) high. Its leaves are special because they are deeply divided. They have 3 to 11 long, narrow parts. These parts are about 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) long. The edges of the leaves curl back.
The flowers are very bright. They can be red or creamy-white. They grow in clusters that can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long. You can see Grevillea banksii flowers for most of the year. But they bloom the most during winter and spring.
Where it Grows
You can find Grevillea banksii naturally along the coast of Queensland. It grows from a town called Ipswich up to Byfield National Park. It likes to grow on hills, ridges, and in forests.
This plant has also been taken to other parts of the world. It now grows wild in some dry areas of the island of Hawai'i. You can also find it in large parts of eastern Madagascar.
Growing Grevillea banksii
People have been growing different types of Grevillea banksii for many decades. However, you might not see it as much in gardens today. This is because newer, smaller plants have become more popular. These new plants are often hybrids, meaning they are a mix of two different plants. Examples include G. 'Robyn Gordon' and G. 'Superb'.
These newer plants are smaller and bloom for longer periods. This makes them a better choice for today's smaller gardens.
Grevillea 'Ruby Red' is a type of Grevillea banksii that grows along the ground. It has red flowers. This plant is often grown by joining it onto another plant called Grevillea robusta.
Grevillea banksii has helped create many popular garden plants. It is one of the parents of G. 'Robyn Gordon'. This plant has been very successful in Australian gardens. It is also a parent to other garden plants like Grevillea 'Honey Gem', G. 'Superb', G. 'Misty Pink', G. 'Pink Surprise', and possibly G. 'Moonlight'.
Safety Information
Some parts of the Grevillea banksii plant, like its flowers and seed pods, can cause a mild skin reaction if touched. It's always a good idea to be careful and avoid eating any parts of unfamiliar plants.
