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Silk Oak or Mountain Grevillea,
Grevillea alpina

tree of the family Proteaceae (Embothrium, Silk Oak, Hakea, Telopea)

Proteaceae are characterised by a calyx and an indistinct corolla and by flowers in 4 stamens.
Origin and etymology: introduced from Australia, by Charles Francis Greville (1749-1809), co-founder of the Royal Horticultural Society of London. It grows in greenhouse in Paris or in London, but I saw it in Greece, on the island of Samos, open-air and large, as well as in Sicily.
Hardiness: zone 8 (it supports cold until -12 °C or 10 °F).
Height:10-15 m in Southern Europe. Bush more in the North.
Persistent foliage. Very serrated, tough leaves, unique.
Orange flowers, 4 stamens and long styles, in May-June (in Europe).
Fruits in flat seeds, liberated at the opening of capsules.

 
 
 

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