Rock grevillea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock grevillea |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Grevillea
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| Species: |
heliosperma
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The rock grevillea, also known as Grevillea heliosperma, is a type of shrub that grows in northern Australia. It usually reaches about 3 to 5 meters (10 to 16 feet) tall. Sometimes, it can even grow as tall as 8 meters (26 feet). This plant is known for its pretty red flowers.
Contents
What Does the Rock Grevillea Look Like?
The rock grevillea is a shrub that grows to be 3 to 5 meters (10 to 16 feet) high. Some plants can even reach 8 meters (26 feet) tall. Its bark is rough and can be grey or black.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the rock grevillea are long, from 15 to 40 centimeters (6 to 16 inches). They are deeply divided into smaller parts. These smaller parts, called lobes, are 5 to 15 centimeters long and about 0.3 centimeters wide.
The plant's flowers grow in groups called inflorescences. These flower groups appear from May or June until September. They are found at the ends of the branches. The flowers are arranged in long clusters called racemes and are usually red or pink.
Fruit and Seeds
After the flowers bloom, round, woody fruits grow. These fruits are about 2.5 to 3 centimeters (1 to 1.2 inches) wide. Each fruit holds two seeds inside.
Similar Plants
The rock grevillea looks a lot like another plant called G. decurrens. That plant has pink flowers and prefers to grow in gravelly soil. These two plants are closely related. Sometimes, they are even thought to be the same species. There are also some plants that have features of both.
How the Rock Grevillea Got Its Name
The plant Grevillea heliosperma was first described in 1810. This was done by a scientist named Robert Brown. He found the plant near the northern coast of Australia. It still has the same scientific name today.
Meaning of the Name
The name heliosperma comes from two Greek words:
- Helios means "sun."
- Sperma means "seed."
This name describes the shape of the seed. It looks like a sun surrounded by a wing-like part.
Local Names
Indigenous people have their own names for this plant:
- In the Enindilyakwa language from Groote Eylandt, it is called yinumamurarra.
- In the Bardi language from the Kimberleys, it is called jamoordoo.
How People Use and Grow the Rock Grevillea
When the rock grevillea grows on its own roots, it likes soil that is a little bit acidic. It also prefers a climate where most of the rain falls in the summer.
Growing the Plant
Gardeners have successfully grown Grevillea heliosperma by grafting it onto Grevillea robusta. Grafting is when you join parts of two plants so they grow as one.
Traditional Uses
Local indigenous people used this plant in different ways:
- They ate the seeds raw.
- They drank the sweet liquid (nectar) from the flowers.
- They would crush the leaves and bark to make a mixture. This mixture was used to wash sores.
See also
In Spanish: Grevillea heliosperma para niños
