Grevillea globosa explained

Grevillea globosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a spreading shrub with deeply divided leaves that have three to nine linear lobes, and dense, spherical clusters of pale green, creamy-green and reddish-brown flowers.

Description

Grevillea globosa is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of but does not form a lignotuber. Its leaves are erect long and deeply divided with three to nine usually linear lobes, wide with the edges rolled under, concealing all but the prominent midvein. The flowers are arranged in dense, spherical groups in leaf axils or on the ends of branches on a hairy rachis long. The flowers are pale green to whitish, creamy-green and hairy, turning black as they age, the pistil long, the style greenish. Flowering occurs sporadically throughout the year and the fruit is an oblong follicle long.[1]

Taxonomy

Grevillea globosa was first formally described by Charles Austin Gardner in 1964 in the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia from specimens collected by Fred Lullfitz to the north of Pindar.[2] [3] The specific epithet (globosa) means "spherical", referring to the flower clusters.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This grevillea grows in mulga shrubland or mallee woodland between Lake Moore and near Pindar in the Avon Wheatbelt and Yalgoo biogeographic regions of south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status

Grevillea globosa is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Although its estimated extent of occurrence is approximately, it may occur over a wider range and its population appears currently stable. In general, there are no known major threats to this species at present. Feral goats graze upon the seedlings of the species, though this is not considered a major threat. No additional conservation measures are currently necessary for this species.[5]

It is also classified as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grevillea globosa . Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra . 30 April 2022.
  2. Web site: Grevillea globosa. APNI. 30 April 2022.
  3. Gardner . Charles A. . Contributiones Florae Australiae Occidentalis, XIII. . Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia . 1964 . 47 . 2 . 55 . 30 April 2022.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 207 . 3rd.
  5. Monks, L. . Keighery, G. . 2020 . Grevillea globosa . 2020 . e.T113018919A113308046 . 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T113018919A113308046.en . 5 January 2024.
  6. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 30 April 2022.