Commonly named grass tree because the leaves can look like an oversized whorl clump of grass on top of a trunk. The genus xanthorrhoea, more commonly known as the grass tree, is an iconic plant that epitomizes the australian bush in its ability to live in poor nutrient soils and respond to wildfire. Grasstrees have a short trunk, which may be underground, a large crown of slender leaves and when flowering a. The trunk is composed of a mass of old leaf bases held together by natural resin which can take 10 years before it begins to form. The xanthorrhoea johnsonii is a dramatic and spectacular species of grass tree native to australia. Australian grass tree aka southern blackboy xanthorrhoea. Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. Xanthorrhoea spines are a familiar sight in australia and still occasionally get called black boys. The xanthorrhoea glauca grass tree is a beautiful, ancient, evergreen tree. Its trunk can grow up to several metres tall and is often branched.
Mildew found in the grass head of grass trees which are under stress after transplant. Xanthorrhoea the story of the black boy plant florist with flowers. The brown skirt of spent foliage may be trimmed if desired to reveal the black trunk once again. The history of the xanthorrhoea fascinated even the first european settlers, as it is so unique it is not related to any other plant species found in australia. In fact often a bushfire will encourage flower development. Xanthorrhoea australis, the grass tree, southern grasstree, austral grasstree or black boy, is an australian plant. It forms a wonderful trunk with single or branched stems and it is topped with shaggy, rounded heads that are made up of hundreds of long, sword shaped glaucous leaves. Every tree is unique and has years of history reflected in its shape. Bushfires will burn the foliage and blacken the stump, but then it regrows.
One of the most interesting and distinctive of australian plants, and one of the most useful. Xanthorrhoea is a small genus of evergreen, tufted or treelike perennial flowering plants consisting of 28 species all of which are endemic to australia. The following websites and books have contributed to the information on this site by way of. Xanthorrhoea johnsonii have a trunk that is typically black as a result of bush fires. Commonly called grass trees, xanthorrhoea plants are also known as balga grass to the australian aborigines, which is their word for black boy. Mildew is a fungus which thrives in a humid environment of tightly bunched foliage. The grass tree xanthorrhoea is a uniquely australian plant, which epitomises the australian landscape and is as tough as goats knees.
It grows in the south east of australia thriving in well drained, aerated soils with low nutrient. Just thought that i would tell you a little about the australian grass tree. In certain aboriginal languages, it is called bukkup, baggup or kawee. Easily share your publications and get them in front of issuus. Below is a list of problem insects and fungus and recommended action you can take if your grass tree becomes affected. It is the most commonly seen species of the genus xanthorrhoea. Unique to australia, this prized landscape tree makes a dramatic statement in any garden.
It used to be called blackboy but that is not politically correct in these modern times. Glauca grass trees, blue grass trees designer trees. Usually the tree will attempt to continue growing vertically. Zanthorrhoea belongs to the lilly family are there are eleven species that grow in western australia. Australian grass tree aka southern blackboy xanthorrhoea australis with seeds, western australia, australia. Xanthorrhoea are a very slow growing species, but it is also believed they can live up to 600 years. Find the perfect grass tree black boy xanthorrhoea stock photo.