Xanthorrhoea australis
Austral Grass-tree
Stout perennial with thick, often branched, woody trunk, generally black as a result of fire.
Additional information
- FamilyAsphodelaceae (syn. Xanthorrhoeaceae)
- StoreyMiddle storey
- Sizetrunk to 3 m high
- Plant groupingLilies & Irises
- LeavesSpreading grassy tuft from the top of trunk, erect when young. 4-sided rigid bluish-green leaves to 1 m x 1.2-3 mm.
- Flower colourCreamy-white
- Flowering timeJuly to December
- FlowersFlowering spike from centre of tuft, flowering section 110-180 cm long, longer than non-flowering section (30-50 cm and 18-40 mm thick). Mass of small highly perfumed flowers. Nectar sweet.
- Bird attractingNectar, insects
- Butterfly attractingNectar for butterflies
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsWell drained soil on rocky slopes. Frost tolerant. Full sun or semi shade.
- Garden useOutstanding specimen plant for the garden or tubs. Purchased non seedling plants must be registered. Flowers prolifically after fire.
- Commercially availableSpecialist Australian plant nursery
- Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites.
- Aboriginal Use Food - nectar, roots, leaf bases; resin - adhesive; flowering stem - fire sticks, spears
- Related speciesXanthorrhoea minor is a smaller plant with the trunk underground. The flowering section of the stem is less than half the length of the non-flowering section. The flowering section on X. australis is 2-6 times greater than the base.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 4 Marilyn Bull ©; 2 Marty White/SYR ©; 3 Colleen Miller ©
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