Grevillea chrysophaea

taxobox
name = Golden Grevillea
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
ordo = Proteales
familia = Proteaceae
genus = "Grevillea"
species = "G. chrysophaea"
binomial = "Grevillea chrysophaea"
binomial_authority = F.Muell. ex Meisn.|

"Grevillea chrysophaea", commonly known as Golden Grevillea, is a shrub which is endemic to Victoria in Australia.

Description

This species is a spreading, or occasionally prostrate, shrub and ranges between 0.3 and 2.5 metres in height. Its leaves are entire, oblong-elliptic to linear, and are 1.5 to 6 cm long and 3 to 15 mm in width. The flowers range in colour from a dull to golden yellow and have a red to orange-red style. They are most prolific between early winter and early summer.

Distribution

The species occurs in eucalypt or banksia woodland in the Brisbane Ranges and in Gippsland in southern Victoria.

Taxonomy

Named forms include:
*'Brisbane Ranges form'
*'Gippsland form'
*'Holey Plains form'

The form described as "Grevillea chrysophaea" var. "canescens" H.B.Will. is not currently recognised as a separate variety. It is procumbent and compact and has smaller flowers but produces them in greater numbers.The type specimen was collected at Sperm Whale Head.

The variant previously known as "Grevillea" sp. aff. "chrysophaea" or "Grevillea" aff. "chrysophaea" (Nowa Nowa) is currently regarded as a separate species, "Grevillea celata" Molyneux.

Cultivation

Plants are best suited to coastal or mountain environments (within Australia) and prefer light, moist soils in a protected situation.

Propagation is from seed or cuttings, although the latter are difficult to strike.

References

*APNI | name = "Grevillea chrysophaea" F.Muell. ex Meisn. | id = 43894
*Flora of Australia Online|name= "Grevillea chrysophaea"|id=2886
* "Your Australian Garden - No.4 Grevilleas", David G. Stead Wildlife Research Foundation of Australia.