Grevillea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grevillea |
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| Grevillea banksii in flower | |
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Grevilleoideae
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Grevillea
R.Br. ex Knight
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Grevillea is a large group of about 360 different kinds of evergreen flowering plants. They belong to the protea family, called Proteaceae. These plants are native to places like Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Sulawesi.
The name Grevillea comes from Charles Francis Greville. He was a British plant collector. These plants are very diverse. Some are small shrubs, less than half a meter tall. Others can grow into tall trees, reaching up to 35 meters high! People often call them by common names like Grevillea, Spider Flower, Silky-oak, or Toothbrush.
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What makes Grevilleas special?
Grevilleas are known for their unique flowers. They don't have petals like many other flowers. Instead, their colorful parts are often made from the calyx, which is usually the green part that protects the bud. The flowers often have a long, curved style, which is part of the plant's reproductive system. This style gives them their "spider flower" or "toothbrush" look.
Where do Grevilleas grow?
Most Grevillea species come from Australia. They can be found in many different habitats there. Some grow in dry, sandy areas. Others prefer more humid, forest environments. They are also found on islands near Australia, like New Guinea and New Caledonia. This shows how adaptable these plants are.
Different types of Grevilleas
Because there are so many species, Grevilleas come in all shapes and sizes.
- Small shrubs: Some are low-growing and spread out. They are great for ground cover in gardens.
- Medium shrubs: Many are medium-sized bushes. They can be a few meters tall and wide.
- Tall trees: A few species grow into large trees. They can provide shade and are important in their natural habitats.
Their leaves also vary a lot. Some have thin, needle-like leaves. Others have broad, flat leaves. Some even have leaves that look like ferns.
Grevilleas in gardens
Many types of Grevilleas are very popular garden plants. This is especially true in Australia. But they are also grown in other places with warm or mild climates. People love them for their beautiful and unusual flowers. These flowers attract birds, especially honeyeaters, which feed on their nectar.
Growing new Grevilleas
Grevilleas can easily mix with each other. This means different species can breed together. When this happens, they create new plants called hybrids. Plant growers have carefully chosen some of these hybrids. They grow them to sell because they have special features.
One very famous hybrid is Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'. It's a small shrub, usually about 1.5 meters tall and wide. What's amazing about it is that it can flower almost all year round in warm climates! This makes it a favorite for many gardeners.
Images for kids
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A New Holland honeyeater bird feeding on a Grevillea aspleniifolia flower. This photo was taken at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
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This is a G. candelabroides plant.
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A close-up of G. dielsiana flowers.
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This image shows a G. wickhamii subsp. aprica plant.
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A beautiful G. rivularis in bloom.
See also
In Spanish: Grevillea para niños
