Bottlebrush grevillea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bottlebrush grevillea |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Grevillea
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| Species: |
paradoxa
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The Grevillea paradoxa, often called the bottlebrush grevillea, is a type of shrub that grows in Western Australia. It's part of a large group of plants known as Grevillea species. This plant is special because it naturally grows in certain areas of Western Australia, including the Mid West, Wheatbelt, and Goldfields-Esperance regions.
What is the Bottlebrush Grevillea?
The bottlebrush grevillea is a shrub that stands upright and can spread out. It often has prickly parts, which means it can be a bit spiky to touch. It usually grows to be about 0.5 to 2 meters (1.6 to 6.6 feet) tall. Its branches do not have a waxy, bluish coating.
What Do Its Leaves and Flowers Look Like?
The leaves of the bottlebrush grevillea are quite interesting. They are "dissected," which means they are deeply cut or divided into many parts, almost like a fern leaf. Each leaf blade can be from 15 to 50 millimeters (0.6 to 2 inches) long.
This plant blooms from June to October. During this time, it produces beautiful red or pink flowers. These flowers grow in a cluster called an "inflorescence," which looks a bit like a bottlebrush. The flowers also have red-pink "styles," which are part of the flower's reproductive system. After the flowers, the plant forms small, egg-shaped fruits. These fruits are usually 8 to 13 millimeters (0.3 to 0.5 inches) long and can be a bit sticky and hairy.
A Special Hybrid Plant
You might have heard of a popular garden plant called Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon'. This plant is actually a special mix! It's a "hybrid," meaning it was created by crossing two different Grevillea species. One of its parents is G. sessilis, and the other parent is our very own G. paradoxa. This makes 'Dorothy Gordon' a unique plant with traits from both its parents.
