Beef Oak

Grevillea striata is an erect, spindly shrub or robust tree with dark, fissured bark, that typically grows to a height of 3–15 m (9.8–49.2 ft), the trunk up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter. Its leaves are linear or strap-like and often wavy, 100–450 mm (3.9–17.7 in) long and 2–15 mm (0.079–0.591 in) wide. The lower surface of the leaves has 5 to 13 prominent striations. The flowers are arranged in clusters with up to 12 branches, each branch cylindrical and 50–140 mm (2.0–5.5 in) long. The flowers are white to cream-colured or pale yellow, the pistil 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long. Flowering mainly occurs from August to December, and the fruit is an almost smooth, oblong to oval follicle 13–21 mm (0.51–0.83 in) long.

Beefwood grows in woodland, shrubland and spinifex communities in a range of soil types. It occurs in all mainland states except Victoria. Some specimens are long-lived. A tree still stands bearing an inscription in memory of James Poole, a member of Charles Sturt's expedition in 1845, although the tree must have been mature at the time of carving. Poole, having died of scurvy, was buried near a beefwood tree at Preservation Creek near Milparinka, and an inscription "JP 1845" was carved into the tree.

Aboriginal people used resin from the tree to stick flints to their cutting tools. They also reportedly used charcoal from the tree to treat wounds and promote healing.