Grevillea robusta A.Cunn. ex R.Br.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘For the drawing of this plant, which was made from a native specimen, (having never flowered in this country,) I am indebted to Mr. Allan Cunningham. It was accompanied by a reduced sketch of the plant, which he introduced to the Kew Gardens, the only one in Britain; but as it was scarcely suited to the nature of this publication, it has been reluctantly omitted. “This noble species of Grevillea, Mr. Cunningham remarks, “in the thick, moist woods on the banks of the Brisbane River, vies in size and stature with the Flindersia [australis], Oxleya [Flindersia xanthoxyla], and other large forest trees: but by none is it surpassed in height in its native woods, except by the Araucaria [cunninghamii] of those regions, whose level-topped branching head is seen rising far above all the rest. Some aged trunks of Grevillea robusta I have found to measure nine feet in circumference; so that it is probably the largest tree of the order that has yet been discovered, surpassing both the Knightia of New Zealand, and the Orites excelsa, Br. of Port Macquarrie.  From its deeply dissected foliage, and the silkiness of the under-side, it has obtained the name of Silky Oak among the pine-cutters of Moreton Bay; but its timber, which is of a tough fibre, has not been appropriated to any use” ’  [BM t.3184/1832].  Introduced to Britain in 1829.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.527/1843].  There are a number of mature specimens in the gardens.  It has a restricted range in the wild, from Coffs Harbour in NSW to Maryborough in Queensland and inland to the Bunya Mountains.  Reasonably safe in its present range.  [Olde & Marriott].  Probably obtained by Macarthur from his contacts in Moreton Bay.

Notes