Grevillea striata R.Br.

Common Name and Growth Form

Grevillea striata, commonly known as beefwood, is an erect, spindly shrub or robust tree with dark, fissured bark.

Size

It typically reaches a height of 3 to 15 metres (9.8 to 49.2 feet), with a trunk up to 60 centimetres (24 inches) in diameter.

Leaf Shape and Dimensions

Its leaves are linear or strap-shaped, often wavy, measuring 100 to 450 millimetres (3.9 to 17.7 inches) long and 2 to 15 millimetres (0.079 to 0.591 inches) wide.

Leaf Surface Features

The lower surface of the leaves has between 5 and 13 prominent striations.

Inflorescence Structure

The flowers form in clusters with up to 12 branches; each branch is cylindrical and 50 to 140 millimetres (2.0 to 5.5 inches) long.

Flower Characteristics

Flower color ranges from white to cream or pale yellow, and the pistil is 6 to 10 millimetres (0.24 to 0.39 inches) long.

Flowering Period and Fruit

Flowering occurs mainly from August to December, and the fruit is an almost smooth, oblong to oval follicle that is 13 to 21 millimetres (0.51 to 0.83 inches) long.

Habitat and Distribution

Beefwood grows in woodland, shrubland and spinifex communities across a range of soil types, and occurs in all mainland Australian states except Victoria.

Longevity

Some specimens of this species are long-lived.

Historic Specimen Background

One mature tree, which already existed when an inscription was carved in 1845, still stands today.

Inscription Context

The inscription marks the burial of James Poole, a member of Charles Sturt's 1845 expedition who died of scurvy.

Burial and Inscription Details

Poole was buried near this beefwood tree at Preservation Creek near Milparinka, and the inscription "JP 1845" was carved into the tree.

Traditional Resin Use

Aboriginal people, Indigenous to Australia, used resin from this tree to stick flints to their cutting tools.

Traditional Medicinal Use

They also reportedly used charcoal from the tree to treat wounds and promote healing.