Definition
Grevillea baueri is a species of flowering shrub in the family Proteaceae, endemic to the state of New South Wales, Australia.
Overview
- Taxonomy: Kingdom Plantae; clade Angiosperms; order Proteales; family Proteaceae; genus Grevillea; species G. baueri.
- Distribution: The species occurs in a restricted range on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, primarily on rocky slopes and ridges in open forest and heathland.
- Habitat: It grows on sandy–loam to gravelly soils derived from sandstone, often in areas that experience periodic fire.
Etymology/Origin
The specific epithet baueri honours the Austrian botanical illustrator Ferdinand Bauer (1760–1826), who is noted for his detailed drawings of Australian flora. The name was formally published by Robert Graham in 1839.
Characteristics
- Growth form: An erect to spreading shrub, typically 0.5–2 m in height.
- Leaves: Narrowly oblong to linear leaves, 10–30 mm long and 1–3 mm wide, sometimes slightly pleated; margins are usually entire.
- Inflorescence: Flowers are arranged in terminal racemes or clusters up to 4 cm long. Each flower possesses a long, slender pistil, characteristic of Grevillea.
- Flower colour: The perianth is usually pink to pale red, aging to orange‑brown; the style is often a contrasting bright red.
- Flowering period: Primarily from late winter to early spring (August to October in the Southern Hemisphere).
- Fruit: A follicle about 10–12 mm long that splits upon maturity to release one or two winged seeds.
Related Topics
- Grevillea – the diverse Australian genus containing over 350 species.
- Proteaceae – the plant family that includes Banksia, Hakea, and Protea.
- Australian shrubland flora – the ecological community in which G. baueri is a component.
- Fire ecology – many Grevillea species, including G. baueri, are adapted to fire‑prone environments.
All information presented reflects current botanical knowledge as sourced from peer‑reviewed floras and herbarium records.