#xanthorrhoea

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Xanthorrhoea nana

The species of Xanthorrhoea are known collectively as Australian Grass Trees. While some of them can grow quite large and develop a stout trunk, others like Xanthorrhoea nana stay small. The flower stalks look like brown cat-tails when they emerge, and then they sprout little star-like white flowers. The bluish leaves are grass-like and are present all year long. Native to the southwestern corner of Australia, growing on sandy inland plains rather than near the coast. The genus Xanthorrhoea has been placed in various families, but it is now included in the Asphodel Family, along with the aloes, red-hot pokers, etc.

-Brian

[adventureswithteddy]

This Xanthorrhoea, or grass tree, brought Teddy in for a rest on its slender leaves. Dozens of years old before they will start flowering, the tall spike on this plant has sweet tasting nectar. As the lower leaves die they are cleared away by bush fires sweeping through. The bottom of these plants turn black with char and their age starts to become apparent with their increasing height. 

[planetaerium]

Rainbow lorikeets on grass tree (Xanthorrhoea) flower spikes, Carnarvon Reserve, Queensland. Photo by Wayne Lawler/EcoPix.

[seedlingimage]

Xanthorrhoea concava

First true leaves

Image taken 78 days after seed plated on water agar and incubated at 20C and 64 days after potted in soil.

[wenbochenphoto]

Xanthorrhoea minor in Grantville Nature Reserve VIC. Smaller Xanthorrhoeas look much cuter than their chunky cousins and also suits gardens better as they occupy less space and produce more flowers, just my opinion.

[nicrwilson]

Cunningham’s Gap (25.09.20)

By Nic Wilson

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[stitpics]

Golden West Australia, 2015. Bluff Knoll, Xanthorrhoea Grass Tree and its seed heads, all in the Stirling Ranges National Park. Bluff Knoll, 1099m is 2nd the tallest point between Mt Canobolas in Eastern Australia and the Drakensberg Mountains in Western South Africa

[antoniettabrandeisova]

Xanthorrhoea, c. 1987. Cressida Campbell