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Grevillea banksii

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Grevillea banksii

Family Name: Proteaceae
Common Name: Kahili Flower, Red Silky Oak

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Australia
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Shrub, sometimes small tree, able to grow up to 6 - 8 m tall.
Foliage Leaves deeply pinnatifid with 3 - 11 narrow leaflets, whole leaf measuring about 10 - 25 cm long, petiole measuring about 3 - 5 cm long.
Flowers Dark red flowers in terminal racemes inflorescence, paired and short-stalked, racemes can be up to 5 - 10 cm long.
Fruit Fruit is a follicle about 1.5 cm long, flattened and hairy, contains 2 seeds.
Etymology Genus name "Grevillea" is named after Charles Francis Greville (1749 - 1809) who helped to establish a society now called the Royal Horticultural Society. Species banksii is named after Sir Joseph Banks (1743 - 1820), one-time President of the Royal Society and patron of the sciences.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens
Usage Hazard - Cons Toxic Upon Ingestion

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bird-Attracting

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green, Silver / Grey
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Red

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 752
Species ID 2047
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 10 December 2021.
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