Scientific Name: Grevillea Robusta
Common Name: Silky Oak
Nunukul Name: Unnagurgunpin (Welsby, 1916). Tuggon-tuggon (Rahnsleben, 1887).
Turrbal Name: Bur’uda (Watson, 1944).
Kabi Kabi Name: Zul Cu (Skying, 1870). Yul’lu (Watson, 1944).
Indigenous Use
A rich source of nectar comes from the flowers. Eaten from the flower or dipped and shaken into the water.
Colonial Use
Wood used in the manufacture of tallow casks, butter kegs, milk buckets, in cabinet marking, joinery and panelling.
When to Use
Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer.
Identification
Leaves: The leaves of Grevillea robusta, commonly known as the Silky Oak, are large, fern-like, and deeply divided into numerous lobes. Each leaf measures between 15-30 cm in length. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green and glossy, while the underside is covered with silky, white hairs, giving the tree its common name (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Bark: The bark of Grevillea robusta is grey to brown, rough, and deeply fissured. As the tree matures, the bark becomes more rugged and corky. The tree can grow up to 30 meters in height and often has a straight, tall trunk (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024).
Flowers: The flowers of Grevillea robusta are bright orange to yellow, arranged in large, cylindrical racemes that can be up to 15 cm long. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract a variety of pollinators, including birds and insects. Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer (Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Fruit: The fruit of Grevillea robusta is a small, woody follicle, approximately 2 cm in length. Each follicle contains one or two winged seeds that are dispersed by wind. The fruiting period usually follows the flowering season, extending into late summer (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Floridata, 2024).
Ecosystems
Found in the below ecosystem/s.
Rainforests: Sub-tropical rainforests usually consist of three strata of trees with up to 60 species making up the canopy, many with large leaves. Palms and strangler figs are common and the undergrowth is luxuriant with many epiphytic or terrestrial ferns and orchids and abundant large climbers of many species. In Queensland, rainforests can be found in well-known locations like the Daintree Rainforest, Lamington National Park, and Mary Caincross Park.
References
Australian National Botanic Gardens (2024). Grevillea robusta. Available at: https://www.anbg.gov.au/grevillea-robusta [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Plants of the World Online (2024). Grevillea robusta. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid
.org:names:703413-1 [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Floridata (2024). Grevillea robusta. Available at: https://www.floridata.com/Plants/Proteaceae/Grevillea-robusta/874 [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Leiper, Glen, Muteroo: Plant use by Australian Aboriginal People. Eagleby South State School, Brisbane
Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D., & Rathie, K., 2008. Mountain to Mangroves: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River Branch, Society for Growing Australian Plants.
Rahnsleben, G., Appendix: Word List IN Colliver F.S. and Woolston, F.P., Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland Vol 86 (16) ed. E.M. Curr Government Printer, Melbourne 1887
Skyring, Z., Zachariah Skyring’s Kabi Dictionary (Local Aboriginal Language) 1870 Unpublished Original from Gympie Library Local History Collection.
Watson, F.J., Vocabularies of Four Representative Tribes of South Eastern Queensland. Supplement to the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia. (Queensland), No 34 Vol XLVIII Brisbane
Welsby, T., Recollections of the Natives of Moreton Bay. University Society (Brisbane), 1916