It is a native of eastern coastal Australia, in riverine, subtropical and dry rainforest environments receiving more than 1,000 mm per year of average rainfall. Widely planted and popular all over Africa, this tree grows on fairly well drained and neutral to acidic soils but does not tolerate water logging or heavy clays. In Uganda, it is planted with tea, coffee and rubber as boundaries to plantations and as avenues in towns. It is presently being promoted in agro forestry projects. In Kampala, Grevillea can be found at Makindu lane, Katonga road, National housing & medical quarters, Makerere University, Uganda Golf course club among other places.

Grevillea robusta is a deciduous tree with a dense, conical crown; it can grow 12 - 25 meters tall with exceptional specimens up to 40 meters.

The bole, which can be 80 - 120cm in diameter, is straight, buttressed, and can be free of branches for up to 15 meters. Has an oval leafy crown.

BARK: dark grey, rough, vertically grooved.

LEAVES: compound, fern-like, much divided, leathery pale green above, silver grey below.

FLOWERS: very many, in one-sided golden-orange spikes, much nectar which attracts bees and sunbirds

FRUIT: dark brown capsule, about 1 cm, with a slender beak, splitting to set free 2 winged seeds.

Used in the manufacture of furniture, cabinetry and fences.

The wood is used for paneling, joinery, cabinet making.

Used for side and back woods on guitars because of its tonal and aesthetic qualities.

Ornamental plant, valued especially for its attractive fern-like foliage and brilliant orange floral display.

Provide poles.

It is suitable for pulping.

Provide firewood and charcoal. It is also used to fuel locomotives and river steamers, power boilers etc.

It is sometimes used as a rootstock for the more susceptible species to root-rotting fungus.

Intense yellow and green dyes are obtained from the leaves.

G. robusta gums may have some industrial applications.

Agroforestry: leaves provide fodder to animals and can also be for bee forage, used for soil conservation, provides shade and acts as a windbreak.