173 



The Silky Oaks. 



(PROTEACEffi). 



1. Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak). 

 1. (Iffrilh'ii xtriuf't (\\rstorn Beefwood). 

 '.}. ^tcnocarpus saliginm (a Beefwood). . 

 4. Ifacadamia icrnifolia (Queensland Nut). 



GreviUea robusta, A. Gunn. 

 THE SILKY OAK. 



The genus Grevillea is a very large one, approaching 200 species. It is 

 almost peculiar to Australia, seven or eight species occurring in New Cale- 

 donia. It includes many beautiful flowering "plants; occurs in the dry 

 interior and the moist coast districts. Most of the species are small shrubs. 

 G. robusta is the largest of the genus. 



Botanical Name. Grevillea. Bobert Brown dedicated the genus to the 

 Eight Hon. C. F. Greville, an active patron of 'botany at the beginning of 

 the 19th century. Robusta (Latin), strong and firm, in allusion to the size 

 of this species, unusual for a Grevillea. 



Vernacular Tames. Hooker (Bot. Mag., t. 3184) says: "From its deeply 

 dissected foliage and the silkiness of the underside, it has obtained the 

 name of 'Silk Oak' among the pine-cutters of Moreton Bay." When split 

 on the quarter this timber shows a handsome oak-like grain, the prefix 

 " silky " being either because of the silky underside of the leaves, or on 

 account of the bright appearance of the freshly split wood. Hooker's state~ 

 UK nt, written in 1832, may be the true explanation of why the name was 

 originally applied. On the northern rivers I have known it to be called 

 ' ; White Silky Oak " and " Black Silky Oak," though I have not been able 

 to clearly understand the difference. 



Leaves. The graceful fern-like foliage of this plant causes it to be 

 cultivated as a pot plant for table adornment. In Ceylon the tree is much 

 planted, and the Tropical .Agriculturist says: 



We have just heard from a niid-Dhnbula planter of Crcrillca leaves being 

 used as a substitute for paddy straw, as a bedding for cattle, sheep, pigs, and 

 even for horses. The trees are lopped up, the branches carried to the store, 

 where the leaves speedily drop off and are used for bedding for cattle, &c. f 

 with satisfactory results, especially in an economical point of view. 



With us in New South Wales the tree is semi-deciduous. 



Flowers. The tree bears a profusion of orange-yellow flowers which, like 

 those of most members of the family to which it belongs, are rich in honey, 

 and hence are sought after by bees. They add greatly to the ornamental 

 character of the tree, which, in full bloom, is a striking object. 



