Grevillea williamsonii explained

Grevillea williamsonii, also known as Williamson's Grevillea, is a shrub which is endemic to a restricted area in the Grampians Ranges in western Victoria. It was first described from a single plant in 1893, which was destroyed by bushfire four years later. It was then feared extinct and went unrecorded until 1992, where 12 plants were found.[1] The taxonomic validity of this grevillea has been disputed, and many sources treat it as synonymous with G. aquifolium.[2] [3]

Description

Grevillea williamsoni is a spreading shrub that grows 0.6–1 m tall. Leaves are elliptic to narrow, 1.5–4.0 cm long, 3–8 mm wide, entire or (occasionally on adults, commonly on juveniles) with 2–4 spreading triangular teeth; margins shortly and angularly refracted; lower surface subsericeous to subvillous with straight hairs. The perianth is lime-green becoming yellowish; style pale orange yellow becoming pale pink at about anthesis then darker reddish pink. Flowering occurs August-October.

Taxonomy

Grevillea williamsonii was first described in 1893. It is named after its discoverer, H.B. Williamson.[4]

Many sources, including the National Herbarium of Victoria and the Australian Plant Census treat G. williamsonii as synononymous with G. aquifolium, with recent studies suggesting it is a sterile variant.

Distribution and habitat

The species is known only from a single area in the Grampians Ranges in western Victoria.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marriott . Neil . Grevillea williamsonii; Clinging to Survival . 23 June 2024 . Australian Plants Online.
  2. Web site: Makinson . R.O. . Grevillea williamsoni . 18 June 2024 . Atlas of Living Australia.
  3. Web site: 6 June 2005 . Grevillea williamsonii (Williamson's Grevillea) . 18 June 2024 . Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Enviromment and Water.
  4. Web site: Grevillea williamsonii . 18 June 2024 . Australian Native Plants Society.