Grevillea linearifolia (Cav.) Druce

Growth Form

Grevillea linearifolia is an erect, open shrub that typically reaches a height of 1 to 2 metres (3 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 7 inches). It has ridged branchlets covered in silky hairs.

Leaf Characteristics

Its leaves are linear to narrowly elliptic, mostly 50 to 90 millimetres (2.0 to 3.5 inches) long and 1 to 3 millimetres (0.039 to 0.118 inches) wide. Leaves are sometimes arranged singly, and sometimes in clusters of three.

Inflorescence Structure

Flowers are usually arranged in large groups held above the leaves at the ends of branches, growing from a peduncle 1 to 20 millimetres (0.039 to 0.787 inches) long. The flowers are white with silky hairs on the outside, sometimes with a faint pink tinge.

Floral Morphology

The pistil is 7 to 13 millimetres (0.28 to 0.51 inches) long, with a hooked style.

Flowering Period

Flowering occurs mainly from August to December, but can also happen sporadically in other months.

Fruit Description

The fruit is a narrowly oval follicle 13 to 15 millimetres (0.51 to 0.59 inches) long.

Common Name & Habitat

This species, commonly called linear-leaved grevillea, grows in moist, well-drained soils, mostly sandy soils over sandstone, within shrubby eucalypt woodland.

Main Distribution Range

It occurs mainly from Gosford and Putty, south to the Parramatta River and Port Jackson.

Disjunct Populations

There are also some disjunct populations that differ slightly from the Gosford form, but are provisionally classified as this species. These disjunct populations are found near Lawson in the lower Blue Mountains, just inland from Ulladulla, and near Nowra.

Taxonomic Notes

All past records of this species from Victoria are now considered to belong to a range of other species: specifically G. alpivaga, G. neurophylla, G. patulifolia, G. gariwerdensis and G. micrantha.