Desert Grevillea

Alice Springs Desert Park

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The Desert Grevillea (Grevillea juncifolia) has striking coloured flowers that produce a sweet nectar that is enjoyed not only by birds, but also by Aboriginals who suck the flowers as a sweet treat. They also steep the flowers in water to make a sweet or mildly intoxicating drink.

The erect shrub grows to about 4 metres high and is sometimes referred to by the local Indigenous people as the Wattle Tree Honey. The flower is a golden yellow to orange.

This plant is widespread in the inland regions of Australia, found growing on sand dunes, spinifex sand plains and sandhills. The plant is a fairly common sight in the Kings Canyon region.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Grevillea
Species: G. juncifolia
Binomial name: Grevillea juncifolia