Kingdom Plantae Family Proteaceae Scientific name Grevillea vestita Rank Species | Order Proteales Genus Grevillea Higher classification Spider flower | |
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Similar Spider flower, Grevillea ripicola, Grevillea pilosa, Proteas, Grevillea leptopoda | ||
Grevillea vestita is a shrub which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia .
Contents
It usually grows to about 3 metres in height and has prickly leaves which are deeply lobed and can be up to 50 mm long and 30 mm wide. The white, cream or occasionally pale-pink flowers are most abundant in the winter or spring but can occur sporadically throughout the year.
Taxonomy
The type specimen for this species was collected from King George Sound region and was described by Austrian botanist Stephan Endlicher in 1839 who gave it the name Manglesia vestita. In 1845 Carl Meissner put the species into the genus Grevillea. The specific epithet is vestita from the Latin word vestitus meaning "covered in hairs"
There are currently two recognised subspecies:
Two former varieties are now regarded as separate species
Cultivation
This species is noted for being free-flowering and adapts well to cultivation. It can withstand moderate degrees of frost and humidity and responds well to pruning. It can be grown from seed, but is usually propagated by cuttings.