Grevillea willisii

Grevillea willisii is a shrub species which is endemic to the eastern highlands of Victoria, in Australia.[2] Common names include Omeo Grevillea and Rock Grevillea.[2]

Grevillea willisii
Grevillea willisii, Bundara River, Alpine National Park, Victoria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Grevillea
Species:
G. willisii
Binomial name
Grevillea willisii
R.V.Sm. & McGill.[1]

It has a spreading or habit, growing to between 2 and 4.5 metres high, and generally has a grey-green appearance.[2][3] The leaves are slightly prickly and deeply lobed. Both the underside of the leaves and the stem are covered by dense, light-coloured hairs.[3] Flowers appear in terminal spikes between September and January (early spring to mid summer) in its native range.[2] These have cream perianths and pale yellow styles. The fruits have contrasting dark streaks.[3]

The species was first formally described in 1975 in the journal Muelleria.[1] The specific epithet honours James Hamlyn Willis, the Government Botanist of Victoria.[3]

Two forms are recognised:

  • A shorter-leaved (type) form. This occurs to the north and east of Omeo.
  • A longer-leaved form from the south of Corryong, which has scented flowers.[2]

A former subspecies G. willisii subsp. pachylostyla from the upper reaches of the Buchan River was promoted to species status (Grevillea pachylostyla) in 1994.[4]

G. willisii occurs on rocky granite outcrops and near streams in the vicinity of the Mitta Mitta River and Nariel and Wheelers Creek.[2]

The species has a ROTAP listing as "2RC-".[5] It is listed as "Rare in Victoria" on the Department of Sustainability and Environment's Advisory List of Rare Or Threatened Plants In Victoria.[6]

Cultivation

Plants may be grown to attract birds to a garden, providing both protection for nests and a source of nectar. Plants are occasionally affected by leaf miners or chlorosis of the leaves. The species may be propagated by semi-mature cuttings, which may take up to 5 months to produce roots.[3]

The hybrid cultivar Grevillea 'Poorinda Anticipation' is a cross between G. longifolia and G. willisii.[7] Grevillea 'Poorinda Royal Mantle' is a vigorous cultivar that was bred by Victorian plantsman Leo Hodge and registered in 1978; it is thought to be a hybrid between G. willisii and G laurifolia.[8]

References
  1. "Grevillea willisii". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  2. "Grevillea willisii". Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.
  3. Butler, Geoff (1993). "Grevillea willisii". Growing Australian Plants. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  4. "Grevillea pachylostyla". Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.
  5. "Grevillea willisii". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  6. "Advisory List of Rare Or Threatened Plants In Victoria - 2005" (PDF). Department of Sustainability and Environment (Victoria). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  7. "Grevillea 'Poorinda Anticipation'". List of Registered Cultivars derived from Australian native flora. Australian Cultivar Registration Authority. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  8. Young, David (29 April 2013) [1979]. "Grevillea 'Poorinda Royal Mantle'". Growing Native Plants. Australian National Botanic Gardens.
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