Grevillea victoriae, also known as royal grevillea or mountain grevillea,^[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to mountainous regions of south-eastern continental Australia. It is an erect to spreading shrub with elliptic to lance-shaped leaves, and pendulous clusters of red to orange flowers.

Quick Facts Royal grevillea, Scientific classification ...

Royal grevillea
Grevillea victoriae subsp. victoriae Mount Buffalo National Park, Victoria
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Proteales
Family:	Proteaceae
Genus:	Grevillea
Species:	G. victoriae
Binomial name
Grevillea victoriae F.Muell.[1]
Subspecies
G. victoriae subsp. brindabella G. victoriae subsp. nivalis G. victoriae subsp. victoriae
Synonyms[1]
Grevillea victori J.Wrigley & Fagg orth. var. Grevillea victoriae F.Muell. nom. inval., nom. nud. Grevillea victoriae F.Muell. isonym Grevillea victoriae F.Muell. var. victoriae

Close

Grevillea victoriae is an erect to spreading shrub that grows to a height of 0.2–4 m (7.9 in – 13 ft 1.5 in) and has more or less silky-hairy branchlets. Its leaves are elliptic or narrowly elliptic to lance-shaped, sometimes egg-shaped, 60–120 mm (2.4–4.7 in) long and 10–35 mm (0.39–1.38 in) wide. The upper surface of the leaves is more or less glabrous and the lower surface is densely silky- or woolly-hairy. The flowes are red to orange and arranged on the ends of the branches or in leaf axils in pendant, conical to loose, sometimes branched clusters on a rachis 20–90 mm (0.79–3.54 in) long, the pistil 17–26 mm (0.67–1.02 in) long. Flowering may occur in any month, but mainly from August to January in the absence of snow. The fruit is a glabrous follicle 17–20 mm (0.67–0.79 in) long.^[2][3][4][5]

The species was first formally described by Victorian Government Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, his description published in his book, Definitions of rare or hitherto undescribed Australian plants in 1855.^[6][7] Mueller discovered the species when he climbed to the plateau of Mount Buffalo in 1853.^[8] He described it as "a truly majestic plant, when, by descending into the vallies it assumes a height of 12 feet or more."^[9] The specific epithet victoriae was named for Queen Victoria.^[5]

Three subspecies of G. victoriae are accepted by the Australian Plant Census and Plants of the World Online:

• Grevillea victoriae subsp. brindabella Stajsic^[10][11] has leaves mostly 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) long and 12–18 mm (0.47–0.71 in) wide with a dense layer of "tidy" silky hairs on the lower leaf surface concealing the underlying epidermis, and 38 to 50 flowers in each cluster;^[12]
• Grevillea victoriae subsp. nivalis Stajsic & Molyneux^[13][14] has leaves mostly 35–100 mm (1.4–3.9 in) long and 15–37 mm (0.59–1.46 in) wide with a dense layer of "messy" silky or woolly hairs on the lower leaf surface concealing the underlying epidermis, and 24 to 46 flowers in each cluster;^[12][15][16]
• Grevillea victoriae F.Muell. subsp. victoriae^[17][18] has leaves mostly 40–120 mm (1.6–4.7 in) long and 10–25 mm (0.39–0.98 in) wide with a dense layer of "tidy" silky hairs on the lower leaf surface concealing the underlying epidermis, and 22 to 48 flowers in each cluster.^[12][19][20]

Grevillea victoriae occurs in rocky, mountainous areas of south-eastern Australia in forest, woodland and heath. Associated tree species include Eucalyptus pauciflora and Eucalyptus delegatensis.^[28] G. victoriae subsp. victoriae is found on some of Victoria's highest mountains including Mount Bogong, Mount Buffalo, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Mount Howitt, Mount St Bernard and Mount Torbreck.^[26][29] G. victoriae subsp. nivalis occurs in sub-alpine areas around Mount Kosciuszko and nearby ranges from Mount Gibbo and Mount Sassafras in the Victorian Alps northwards to Talbingo in New South Wales. In rare cases it may be seen above the treeline.^[26][30] G. victoriae subsp. brindabella occurs in the Brindabella Range on the border of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Eastern spinebills and yellow-faced honeyeaters are known to feed on the nectar of Grevillea victoriae sensu lato.^[31] In Kosciuszko National Park, it has been noted that many bird species leave the area when Grevillea victoriae finishes flowering in January ^[32]

Taxa within the Grevillea victoriae complex are believed to be fire intolerant, regenerating from seed only.^[21]

Subspecies victoriae and nivalis are listed as "endangered" under the Victorian Government Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.^[16][20]

Grevillea victoriae has a reputation for being hardy and reliable in cultivation, and has been successfully grown in all states of Australia, as well as New Zealand, the United States and Great Britain.^[33][34] Plants require a well-drained position with full-exposure to sun or partial shade and will benefit from pruning to maintain a more compact shape. Originating from mountainous regions, the species has a high tolerance to frost and snow. It is useful as a screening plant and to attract birds to the garden.^[35] In certain parts of North America, hummingbirds feed on the flowers of cultivated plants in the winter.^[36]

Plants are easily propagated by seed or cuttings and have been successfully grafted on to Grevillea robusta rootstocks.^[34]