Alpine grevillea

Appearance

There is considerable variation in the form, leaves and flowers of the species. Plants are between 0.3 and 2 metres in height. The leaves may be linear, oblong or elliptic and are generally between 0.5 and 2 cm long and 1.5 to 4 mm wide. Both surfaces of leaves may or may not have hairs. The leaf edges may be curved backwards or revolute. Flower colour is one of the most variable characteristics. The main colour of the perianth may be red, orange or pink or more rarely yellow or cream. There is often a transition of colour along the length of the perianth leading to commonly seen red-yellow or red-cream combinations. The main months of flowering are from August to December in the species' native range.
The flowers are followed by hairy, leathery, ovoid fruits that are between 8.5 and 12 mm long. These split open, releasing winged seeds.

Distribution

"Grevillea alpina" is widespread in Victoria extending from Melbourne northwards into New South Wales through Albury and as far north as Canberra where it is found on Black Mountain. Its westernmost extent is found in the Grampians in Victoria. It occurs in woodland, heathland and mallee.

In "The Grevillea Book" published in 1995, the authors Peter Olde and Neil Marriott identified five informal forms:
⤷ The Grampians form, the type form with bright orange and yellow flowers
⤷ The Southern Hills form, found in locations surrounding Melbourne including Lerderderg Gorge, Kinglake, Mount Slide, Mount Evelyn the Dandenong Ranges and Cardinia.
⤷ The Goldfields form, occurring in Castlemaine, Bendigo and Whroo Forest.
⤷ The Northern Victorian form, seen in places including the Strathbogie Ranges and the Warby Ranges.
⤷ The small-flowered form found in Beechworth, Chiltern, Albury and Canberra. Plants from Tooborac were also classified as this form, but the authors currently believe they may constitute a separate form.

Naturally occurring hybrids have been recorded with "G. lavandulacea"."G. dryophylla" and "G. obtecta". In New Zealand, hybrids with "Grevillea rosmarinifolia" have become naturalised.

Habitat

Honeyeaters are believed to be the major pollinators. Honey bees have been observed feeding on the nectar, but are able to do so without touching the pollen presenter.