Grevillea leucopteris Meisn.

Nomenclature and Growth Form

Grevillea leucopteris Meisn. is a spreading, bushy shrub that usually grows 1 to 5 meters (3 feet 3 inches to 16 feet 5 inches) tall.

Leaf Morphology

Its leaves measure 120 to 350 millimeters (4.7 to 13.8 inches) in length, and are either simple or divided. Divided leaves have 11 to 23 erect linear lobes, while simple leaves are also linear; simple leaves or lobes are 50 to 210 millimeters (2.0 to 8.3 inches) long and 0.9 to 1.8 millimeters (0.035 to 0.071 inches) wide.

Flowering Stem Structure

Flowers form at the ends of flowering stems that are held above the foliage. Each flowering stem has five to fourteen branches, with each branch 100 to 150 millimeters (3.9 to 5.9 inches) long.

Flower Characteristics

The flowers range in color from white to cream, with a pistil 25 to 33 millimeters (0.98 to 1.30 inches) long.

Floral Scent

This plant produces a strong scent that is sweet but unpleasant, and the scent is most noticeable at night.

Flowering Period and Fruit

Flowering occurs mainly from July to January, and the fruit is a smooth, oblong follicle 20 to 24 millimeters (0.79 to 0.94 inches) long.

Common Name and Habitat

This species, also known by the common name old socks, grows in heath and shrubland.

Distribution Range

It occurs in south-western Western Australia, ranging from the lower Murchison River to near Marchagee, across the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, Swan Coastal Plain and Yalgoo bioregions.