4.5.2 MSES 4.5.2.1 Grevillea hockingsii – confirmed present Species description
Grevillea hockingsii is a dense, compact, upright shrub, 1.5-2.5 m tall (DETSI 2025). The branchlets are angular and silky. The leaves are 4-14 cm long by 4-18 mm wide. The sides of the leaves are roughly parallel or are broadest in the centre and taper to each end. The leaf tips are short and soft. The upper leaf surface when young is covered in silky purple-pink hairs which are lost when mature. The lower leaf surface is covered in silvery or light rust coloured silky hairs (DETSI 2025). The midvein is prominent on the lower leaf surface. The sides of the leaves curve slightly downwards. The compound inflorescence (conflorescence) grows from the axis of the leaves with the stems or can grow directly from the stem in old wood. Conflorescences have 6-14 inflorescence (usually 10) which are arranged on a single stem, like spokes on a wheel. The flowers are a bright pinkish purple and 11-15 mm long by 2-2.5 cm wide. The seeds are 11-13mm long, 3-4.5 mm wide and 1.5-2 mm thick. Seed dispersal is promoted by a triangular, 2-3 mm long seed appendage (elaiosome) which ants eat. (DETSI 2025). Species ecology Grevillea hockingsii flowers from April to December (DETSI 2025). As with other Gevillea species this species is likely pollinated by a variety of animals including birds, insects and potentially mammals. Nectivorous birds, such as the White-throated Honeyeater, have been observed feeding at the flowers (DETSI 2025) . Given the presence of the elaiosome on the seed, it is believed that the seeds are primarily dispersed via ants. The elaiosome is a lipid-rich appendage that attracts ants. The seed is harvested by the ants and transported back to their colony where the elaiosome is consumed by the ants and their larvae. The seed is then discarded in the new location a distance from the parent plant. This process is known as myrmecochory (Lengyelm et al. 2010). Species distribution and habitat Grevillea hockingsii only occurs in Queensland, where it is known from three disjunct areas: Coominglah State Forest west of Monto with 21 occurrences in AVH (2025), then Callide Timber Reserve north east of Biloela with 11 occurrences in AVH (2025) and surrounding and within Mount Morgan with four occurrences in AVH (2025). The specimens collected near Mount Morgan ranged from 1984-2001 and were collected on Razor Back Range 3 km west of Mount Morgan. The species is typically found on slopes in hilly sandstone country on shallow sandy to sandy loam soils which are light brown to red in colour and occasionally stony or gravelly. It grows in woodland or open forest communities typically dominated by Eucalyptus decorticans , Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata , Eucalyptus suffulgens or Eucalyptus acmenoides (DETSI 2025). The species has occasionally been described on the edge of soaks. Population survey A population survey was conducted for Grevillea hockingsii . The survey involved transversing all areas within in G. hockingsii was confirmed. In total 67 individuals of G. hockingsii were confirmed during field surveys along the northern slopes of Upper Mundic Gully. Individuals ranged from seedlings to mature flowering/seeding individuals. All individuals appeared of good health. In addition to the above population, approximately 24.30 ha and 5.20 ha of essential and suitable habitat has been mapped for the species within the project area, respectively. Suitable habitat for the species, within the project area, has been describe as low woodland to open forests dominated by of Corymbia citriodora, Corymbia trachyphloia, Syncarpia glomulifera and/or Acacia spp, on steep slopes and hill crests with shallow, well drained, sandy loam soils derived from sandstone or basalt volcanic rocks. Within the project area this suitable habitat has been verified within both remnant and HVR vegetation, with the former representing essential habitat and the latter representing suitable habitat. Representative photos of G. hockingsii present within the project area are presented in Error! Reference source not found. .
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