Characteristics of Golden Grevillea Tree (Grevillea pteridifolia) in the Wild

Golden grevillea (Grevillea pteridifolia) is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to northern Australia. Golden Grevillea grows as a shrub or tree that usually has pinnate leaves and orange-yellow or reddish flowers.

Golden grevillea is found from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, across the Northern Territory, and into Queensland where it is found along the Great Dividing Range to around Barcaldine. Found in areas with wet summers, dry winters, and annual rainfall of 500-1,500 mm.

Golden grevillea is easy to grow in warm climates, generally preferring extra water in summer and well-draining soil. Fragile branches can break if exposed to strong winds. Several Grevillea hybrids are popular garden ornamentals.

Grevillea pteridifolia has many common names used by people throughout the world, including Golden grevillea, Silky grevillea, Fern-leaved grevillea, Golden parrot tree, Golden tree, Manbulu, Yawuny, and Tjummula.
 

Characteristics of Golden Grevillea Leaf

The leaves are 10-45 cm long and usually pinnate with 13 to 29 linear or very narrow egg-shaped lobes 15-25 cm long and 1-4 mm wide. The edges of the leaves are rolled down, the exposed lower surface is covered with fine hairs.
 

Characteristics of Golden Grevillea Flower

The flowers are arranged in groups on one side of the rachis 8-20 cm long, the flowers at the base of the cluster open first. The flowers are grayish green to silvery on the outside, the inside is bright orange-yellow or reddish, and the pistil is 2-3.5 cm long. Flowering occurs in most months with a peak from May to September.
 

Characteristics of Golden Grevillea Fruit

The fruit is a dense, hairy follicle 1.5-2.2 cm long.
 

Characteristics of Golden Grevillea Tree

Golden grevillea is a non-lignotuberous shrub to small tree with smooth bark and compound flowers. Occasionally it is found to grow in a prostrate form that spreads up to 5 meters.
 

Benefits of Golden Grevillea

The leaves were used as a stuffing and decoction when cooking emu by the Aborigines of Groote Eylandt and were used by early settlers to stuff pillows.

A series of compounds with antibacterial activity, called kakadumycins, have been isolated from streptomycetes obtained from Grevillea pteridifolia.

Because it is a shrub or small tree and produces striking flowers, Grevillea pteridifolia is cultivated and traded as an ornamental plant, so it has economic value.