Grevillea speciosa (Knight) Mc Gill.

Taxonomy and Growth Form

Grevillea speciosa (Knight) Mc Gill. is an erect shrub that typically grows 0.4 to 3 metres (1 foot 4 inches to 9 feet 10 inches) tall, with branchlets covered in silky to shaggy hairs.

Leaf Shape and Dimensions

Its leaves are elliptic to egg-shaped with the narrower end at the base, or nearly circular, usually 10 to 40 millimetres (0.39 to 1.57 inches) long and 4 to 12 millimetres (0.16 to 0.47 inches) wide, with downward-turned edges.

Leaf Lower Surface

The lower surface of the leaves is covered in silky to soft hairs.

Flower Clusters and Color

Its flowers grow in large, downturned, dome-shaped to spherical clusters 20 to 40 millimetres (0.79 to 1.57 inches) long; the flowers are most often red, rarely pink, and very rarely cream-coloured.

Pistil and Style Structure

The pistil is 25 to 35 millimetres (0.98 to 1.38 inches) long, and the style curves gently.

Flowering Period and Fruit

Flowering occurs mainly from July to October, and the fruit is an elliptic to narrowly oval follicle 12 to 20 millimetres (0.47 to 0.79 inches) long.

Similar Species Distinction

It can be distinguished from the similar species Grevillea oleoides primarily by its shorter, more ovate leaves.

Common Name and Habitat

This species, commonly known as red spider flower, grows on ridgetops and hillsides in moist heath, low woodland and forest in sandy soil.

Natural Distribution

Its natural range is along the central coast of New South Wales, from Gosford, Kulnura and Bucketty to just south of Port Jackson.

Cultivation Status

G. speciosa is sold at many nurseries and is cultivated for its bright, usually red flowers.

Cultivated Forms

Pink-flowered cultivated forms exist, and may come from hybridisation with other grevillea species.

Climate Adaptability

It tolerates a wide range of climates, and can be grown in both coastal and inland environments.

Preferred Growing Conditions

It grows best in a full-sun or part-shade position, in either acidic or neutral, well-drained sandy loam or clay soil that is not excessively dry.