Grevillea robusta (silky oak).

G. robusta has gained widespread popularity in warm temperate, subtropical and tropical highland regions of many countries, originally as a shade tree for tea and coffee and now as an agroforestry tree for small farms (Harwood, 1989). It provides economically valuable products including timber, poles, firewood and leaf mulch; it is easy to propagate and establish and is relatively free of pests and diseases; its proteoid roots help it grow in low-fertility soils; it does not compete strongly with adjacent crops; and it tolerates heavy pruning of its roots and branches. With its fern-like pinnate leaves and prominent attractive, orange flowers, it is also popular as an ornamental. As a consequence of its colonizing abilities, G. robusta may become a noxious weed in favourable conditions.