Do you know about silver oak tree?

Australian Silver Oak tree flowerThe Australian Silver-oak tree (Grevillea robusta) is, as you can infer from its name, native to Australia. Although it is called by term “Oak” it is not really a true Oak in that it is not a member of the quercus genus. Or put more simply it is not a tree that produces acorns.

 

Grevillea robusta flower detailIt is, none the less, a very beautiful and interesting tree in its own right. There are three things about this tree that really stand out to me; its bright yellow and red flowers, its dramatic leaves and it curious little seed pods. The images above and below were taken of a tree not far from my home in Malaga, Spain just when the   flowers were beginning to unfold.

 

Australian Silver-oak branch (1)On some of the trees the branches have so many flowers that the tree itself takes on a yellow and red flame color.

 

 

Grevillea robusta seeds

The little black seed capsules are about 1 cm in size and split open along one side when they are ready to release their seeds.

 

 

Australian Silver Oak leaf

The leaf of the Australian Silver Oak is alternately compound and the individual leaflets have a dramatic “flame-like” shape.