Grevillea synapheae

{{short description|Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to Western Australia}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Grevillea synapheae gnangarra.JPG

|image_caption =

|genus = Grevillea

|species = synapheae

|authority = R.Br.{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/77656 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=16 March 2023}}

|synonyms =

}}

Grevillea synapheae, commonly known as catkin grevillea,{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae |url=https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Grevillea%20synapheae |publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra |access-date=16 March 2023}} is species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a prostrate to erect shrub usually with divided leaves with 3 to 7 triangular to more or less linear lobes, and clusters of white to creamy yellow flowers.

File:Grevillea synapheae subsp. minyulo - Flickr - Kevin Thiele.jpg

Description

Grevillea synapheae is a prostrate to erect, lignotuber-forming shrub that typically grows to a height of {{cvt|0.2–1.5|m}}, its branches glabrous to sparsely woolly-hairy. The leaves are variable but mostly wedge-shaped with 3 to 7 triangular to more or less linear lobes {{cvt|10–25|mm}} long and {{cvt|2–12|mm}} wide. The flowers are arranged in clusters with up to 6 branches, each branch cylindrical on a rachis {{cvt|10–60|mm}} long. The flowers are white to creamy yellow, the pistil {{cvt|4–5|mm}} long. Flowering occurs from July to October, and the fruit is a wrinkled, elliptic to oval follicle {{cvt|8–13|mm}} long.{{FloraBase|name=Grevillea synapheae|id=2101}}{{cite book |last1=Wrigley |first1=John W. |last2=Fagg |first2=Murray A. |title=Banksias, waratahs & grevilleas : and all other plants in the Australian Proteaceae family |date=1991 |publisher=Angus & Robertson |location=North Ryde, NSW, Australia |isbn=0207172773 |page=338}}

This grevillea is closely related to G. trifida, G. muelleri and G. prominens.

Taxonomy

Grevillea synapheae was first formally described by botanist Robert Brown in 1830 in Supplementum primum Prodromi florae Novae Hollandiae from specimens collected in the Swan River Colony by Charles Fraser.{{cite web|title=Grevillea synapheae|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/491879|publisher=APNI|access-date=16 March 2023}}{{cite book |last1=Brown |first1=Robert |title=Supplementum primum prodromi florae Novae Hollandiae |date=1830 |location=London |page=23 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/77294#page/537/mode/1up |access-date=16 March 2023}} The specific epithet (synapheae) refers to similarity of the leaf shape and flower colour to the genus Synaphea.{{cite book |last1=Sharr |first1=Francis Aubi |last2=George |first2=Alex |title=Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings |date=2019 |publisher=Four Gables Press |location=Kardinya, WA |isbn=9780958034180 |page=318 |edition=3rd}}

The names of 5 subspecies are accepted by the Australian Plant Census:

  • Grevillea synapheae subsp. A Flora of Australia (S.D.Hopper 6333) WA Herbarium{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. A |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/246940 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=16 March 2023}} is a sprawling shrub, the leaves with 3 to 7 narrow lobes sometimes further divided, the end lobes straight, rigid and narrowly triangular, {{cvt|5–20|mm}} long and {{cvt|2–3|mm}} wide.{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. A |url=https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Grevillea%20synapheae%20subsp.%20A |publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra |access-date=16 March 2023}}{{FloraBase|name=Grevillea synapheae subsp. A |id=19569}}
  • Grevillea synapheae subsp. latiloba (Meisn.) Makinson{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. latiloba |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/165113 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=16 March 2023}} is a mounded to spreading or erect shrub, the leaves with 3 to 5 deeply divided lobes usually further divided, the end lobes triangular to oblong, {{cvt|2–17|mm}} long and {{cvt|2–7|mm}} wide.{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. latiloba |url=https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Grevillea%20synapheae%20subsp.%20latiloba |publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra |access-date=16 March 2023}}{{FloraBase|name=Grevillea synapheae subsp. latiloba |id=19568}}
  • Grevillea synapheae subsp. minyulo Makinson{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. minyulo |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/164663 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=16 March 2023}} is a low, spreading to sprawling shrub, the leaves almost pinnatisect, usually with 7 lobes usually further divided, the end lobes linear, {{cvt|7–30|mm}} long and {{cvt|2–3|mm}} wide.{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. minyulo |url=https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Grevillea%20synapheae%20subsp.%20minyulo |publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra |access-date=16 March 2023}}{{FloraBase|name=Grevillea synapheae subsp. minyulo |id=17450}}
  • Grevillea synapheae subsp. pachyphylla Olde & Marriott{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. pachyphylla |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/164664 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=16 March 2023}} is a shrub up to {{cvt|1|m}} tall, the leaves mostly divided with 3 to 5 lobes sometimes divided again, the end lobes egg-shaped to oblong, {{cvt|10–22|mm}} long and {{cvt|2–6|mm}} wide.{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. pachyphylla |url=https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Grevillea%20synapheae%20subsp.%20pachyphylla |publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra |access-date=16 March 2023}}{{FloraBase|name=Grevillea synapheae subsp. pachyphylla |id=14420}}
  • Grevillea synapheae R.Br. subsp. synapheae{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. synapheae |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/164665 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=16 March 2023}} is a prostrate to low, spreading shrub, the leaves usually deeply divided with 3 to 7 lobes often divided again, the end lobes narrowly oblong to narrowly triangular, {{cvt|2–17|mm}} long and {{cvt|2–5|mm}} wide.{{cite web |title=Grevillea synapheae subsp. synapheae |url=https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Grevillea%20synapheae%20subsp.%20synapheae |publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra |access-date=16 March 2023}}{{FloraBase|name=Grevillea synapheae subsp. synapheae |id=14421}}

Distribution

All 5 subspecies of G. synaphaea occur in the south-west of Western Australia.

Conservation status

Subspecies A, latiloba and minyulo are listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that they are known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.{{cite web|title=Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna|url=https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened-species/Listings/Conservation%20code%20definitions.pdf|publisher=Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife|accessdate=16 March 2023}} but subsp. pachyphylla and synapheae are listed as "not threatened".

Use in horticulture

Catkin grevillea is sold commercially{{cite web|url=https://www.australianplants.com/plants.aspx?id=1632|title=Grevillea synapheae|accessdate=19 January 2022|publisher=Australian Native Plants}} and is recommended for use as a low ornamental shrub that is suitable for wide verges, median strips, open locations as well as reserves and parks. When planted is numbers it makes low hedge or barrier or groundcover. It can tolerate drought and a medium frost and soils with a high lime content. It does require well drained soil and part shade to full sun. The plant is a good bird attractor which is used for food and habitat. It can cause skin irritations.{{cite web|url=http://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/Plants/Details/794|title=Grevillea synapheae|accessdate=19 January 2022|work=Plant Selector|publisher=Botanic Gardens of South Australia}}

References