Grass Tree, also known as Kangaroo-tails and Blackboy a name no longer in favour, for obvious reasons. They are not grasses as such but belong to the Xanthorrhoeaceae (Xanthorrhoea species), a family of monocots unique to Australia. These are a unique part of the Australian landscape, and are most obvious after burning (see picture below of large numbers of young flowering grass trees with regerating eucaplyts in the background). Grass trees have either an above-ground or below-ground woody stem, which is covered with packed leaf bases. The long, narrow leaves form a crown at the top of the stem and look like a grass skirt. Creamy-white flowers are crowded on the end of a long, spear-like flower spikes which are usually produced singly, although twins result from two plants merging or growing together. The spikes were used as fishing spears by aboriginal peoples. The stem and leaf bases hold a lot of resin. Grass trees regenerate quickly after fire, with new leaves sprouting from the blackened trunk. The pictures are probably all of Xanthorrhoea australis, described by Robert Brown, the shy botanist, also known for Brownian motion.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 23:50:58 +0000
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