Cladus: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Divisio: Magnoliophyta
Classis: Magnoliopsida
Ordo: Proteales
Familia: Proteaceae
Subfamilia: Grevilleoideae
Tribus: Grevilleeae
Genus: Grevillea
Species: Grevillea rosmarinifolia
Subspecies: G. rosmarinifolia subsp. glabella - G. rosmarinifolia subsp. rosmarinifolia

Name

Grevillea rosmarinifolia A.Cunn.

Vernacular names

Grevillea rosmarinifolia (Rosemary Grevillea) is a plant of the family Proteaceae.

Description

Grevillea rosmarinifolia usually occurs as a small to medium, shrub to 0.3–2 meters high.[2]

The leaves resemble rosemary - narrow-linear, stiff with sharp points and curled-under margins, 0.8-3.8 cm long and 0.7–3 mm wide.[3]

G. rosmarinifolia produces clusters of red or pink flowers from winter to spring.[2] The flowers are rich in nectar and attract nectarivorous insects and birds.
Taxonomy

It was first described by Allan Cunningham, an English botanist on an expedition in New South Wales. There are two currently recognised subspecies:[4]

G. rosmarinifolia subsp. glabella (R.Br.) Makinson
G. rosmarinifolia A.Cunn. subsp.rosmarinifolia

Distribution and habitat

It is native to New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, and has naturalised in South Australia.

G. rosmarinifolia prefers full sun. It is frost and drought tolerant.
Cultivars

A large number of cultivars have been selected including the following:

"Anakie', a form from Anakie, Victoria
'Aromas', a form cultivated in the USA
'Aurea'
'Coral'
'Desert Flame'
'Hurstbridge', a form from Hurstbridge, Victoria
'Jenkinsi'
'Lara Dwarf', (Lara form) a form from Lara, Victoria, now extinct in the wild.
'Lime-Light'
'Little Desert', a form from the Little Desert in Victoria
'Lutea'
'Marlow'
'Nana'
'Nectis'
'Noelli', a form cultivated in the USA
'Pink Pixie'
'Rosy Posy', a form from the Yarrangobilly Caves area in New South Wales
'Vectis'
'Wakehurst'
'West Wyalong Beauty'
'Williamsii Prostrate'
'Williamsii'
'Wyalong Wonder'

References

^ "Grevillea rosmarinifolia". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
^ a b "Grevillea rosmarinifolia". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) - ANPSAz. Sunday 11 November 2007. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
^ "Grevillea rosmarinifolia A.Cunn". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
^ "Grevillea rosmarinifolia". Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.