Grevillea preissii
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| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Distribution: | Coastal and near-coastal areas in south Western Australia in heath and shrubland between Bunbury and Cerventes. |
| Common Name: | Spider net grevillea. |
| Derivation of Name: | Grevillea...after Charles Francis Greville, co-founder of the Royal Horticultural Society preissii... After J A Ludwig Preiss, a botanical collector. |
| Conservation Status: | Not considered to be at risk in the wild at the species level although subspecies glabrilimba has a restricted distribution. |
General Description:
Grevillea preissii is a small shrub to about 1 metre high, although completely prostrate forms occur. Leaves are greyish green to green up to 60 mm long by 40 mm wide and pinnate in form (divided into narrow lobes). They may be hairy or glabrous. The bright red flowers occur in pendent clusters at the ends of the branches or in the leaf axils in winter and spring.
Two subspecies are recognised (subsp. preissii and subsp. glabrilimba) which differ mainly in structure of the hairs on the flowers and foliage.
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| Grevillea preissii Photos: Brian Walters |
G.preissii has been regarded in the past as a subspecies of G.thelemanniana and may still be found in nurseries and gardens under the latter name. Several forms are in cultivation including:
- Prostrate green leaf form - well established in cultivation as a reliable form (still often sold as G.thelemanniana)
- 'Superior' form - shrub to 1 metre with very conspicuous and large flower clusters
- 'Magic Lantern' - a form of subspecies glabrilimba. This small shrub with silvery foliage is less hardy than other forms.
The species can be grown from seed which should be "nicked" with a sharp knife prior to sowing to improve germination. Cuttings from firm, current season's growth can be slow to strike and success is improved by using a root promoting hormone.
◄ Grevillea Thumbnails