Grevillea robusta
- noun
- Specialized
- The Grevillea robusta is a popular ornamental tree in parks and gardens around the world.
Examples
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Birds are attracted to the bright orange flowers of the Grevillea robusta during spring.
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The timber from Grevillea robusta is valued for its attractive grain and workability.
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Look at that beautiful Grevillea robusta in the park!
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The Grevillea robusta is often used in landscaping.
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Birds are attracted to the bright orange flowers of the Grevillea robusta during spring.
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The Grevillea robusta is a popular ornamental tree in parks and gardens around the world.
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The Grevillea robusta is often used in landscaping for its attractive foliage and flowers.
Synonyms
A tall Australian tree with feathery leaves and bright orange flowers
A tall Australian tree with leaves like a fern and wood used for furniture
Surface Forms
Morphology
grevillea + robusta
This is a binomial botanical name made of the genus Grevillea and the specific epithet robusta; if a learner knows 'Grevillea' as a flowering-plant genus and recognises 'robusta' as meaning 'robust/strong' (Latin-derived), they can compositionally infer it denotes a robust species of Grevillea (i.e., a type of tree). The meaning is therefore predictable from the parts rather than idiomatic or metaphorical.
Etymology
Grevillea robusta is named after Mr Greville, a plant lover, and the second word robusta means 'strong' in Latin. So imagine a strong, fast-growing 'silk oak' with silky leaves and bright orange flowers—this image helps you remember the tall ornamental tree the name refers to.