Grass Tree

Monday 14 May, 2012

Grass trees (Xanthorrhoea australis, Xanthorrhoea minor) have a rough black trunk which only starts appearing after many years of growth. They have long narrow leaves clustered at the top of the trunk with cream or white flowers massed in a thick spike which can be up to 3 metres long.

A wide range of lizards and insects shelter in the plant's massive foliage and the flowering spear of the plant attracts nectar feeding birds, bees, ants, and butterflies.

Grass trees occur in coastal heaths, wet and dry forests throughout most of Victoria. They are very slow growing and can live up to 600 years

Grass trees often produce flower spikes simultaneously after fire.

More information

Australian National Botanic Gardens

References

Australian Native Plant Society