Australian crimson oak

Australian crimson oak

Grevillea banksii

Common Name:

Australian crimson oak

Scientific Name:

Grevillea banksii


Alternative common names:

Red silky oak, dwarf silky oak, kahili flower or kahili tree, Australiese rooi-eik (Afrikaans).

Description:

The Australian crimson oak is a large shrub or small tree up to 10m in height. It is a noxious, woody evergreen that flowers for most of the year, but mainly in winter and spring. The fruit and flowers may cause dermatitis and the pollen may trigger hayfever.

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

Australia.

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

NEMBA Category 1b.

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

KwaZulu-Natal.

How does it spread?

The seeds are wind dispersed.

Why is it a problem?

It is weed-like and unfavourable in some regions. The fruit and flowers may cause dermatitis and the pollen may trigger hayfever. It is also toxic to horses.

What does it look like?

Leaves: Silvery-green, pinnate with 3-11 deeply divided, linear to lanceolate segments, 5-10cm long and 1cm wide.

Flowers: Red or creamy white in large clusters.

Fruit/seeds: The fruit is pod-like, about 15mm long, flattened, grey and hairy, splitting open on one edge. The seeds are about 1cm long, elliptical, flat and blackish, bordered by a narrow brown wing.

Does the plant have any uses?

Cultivated as an ornamental plant and for hedging.

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