Biology:Grevillea williamsonii

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Short description: Species of shrub endemic to Victoria, Australia

Grevillea williamsonii
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Grevillea
Species:
G. williamsonii
Binomial name
Grevillea williamsonii
F.Muell.

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.[1] It was then feared extinct and went unrecorded until 1992, where 12 plants were found.[2] The taxonomic validity of this grevillea has been disputed, and many sources treat it as synonymous with G. aquifolium.[3][4]

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.[3]

Taxonomy

Grevillea williamsonii was first described in 1893. It is named after its discoverer, H.B. Williamson.[1]

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.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

The species is known only from a single area in the Grampians Ranges in western Victoria.[3]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q5608034 entry