#xanthorrhoea

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Xanthorrhoea minor

Xanthorrhoeas are known as Australian grass trees, but it is hard to think of the diminutive Xanthorrhoea minor as a tree. Despite its small size, it has the needle-like leaves typical if the genus, along with the spires of tiny white flowers. It comes from the southeast corner of Australia.

-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. 

[melankoliadam]

Modern Landscape - Landscape This is an illustration of a sizable, formal, brick backyard garden in the springtime.

[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.

[nuytsia]

Hardenbergia vine growing up a Xanthorrhoea grass tree flower spike

[portraitsofflora]

Day 285 — Xanthorrhoea Australis

[mariellejohnston]

WEEK 5

Task 5 - BARRAMBIN SITE DESIGN SKETCH

Burrumbin undeniably spoke of its meaning, often swept by gusts of wind that created a refreshing atmosphere from the top of the hill. I noticed the shape of the park's landscape was arched, facing east with bright green rolling hills, bending trees and grasses in its direction.

Although there was a lot to be inspired about in this park, two aspects inspired me the most during my experience on the walk.

The first was how I noticed the grass trees (Xanthorrhoea) on the park's south side had two flowers growing from each plant, spiraling around each other up to the sky.

The second aspect that inspired me was on Site 1. The new native tree crop planted on the hill slope closest to the inner-city bypass highway, I noticed the lowest part of the gully had thick, fresh grass to sit on. Here, I faced east towards the cityscape feeling the breeze, observing the diverse bird life in this waterhole, and contemplating the strong contrast and contour of a bright green park to the city maze of metal and concrete, a monochrome grid of towering structures and rigid angles.

This site drew me in most to sketch up a design of a spatial artwork. I

The planar surface of the water became a perfect base for a potential sculpture. The wind and water were two elements that I wanted to embrace in the design. So I started to sketch up the motion of fish swimming and flowing with the wind. The brim appears to begin from the east side of the waterhole as if they are arriving from the ocean and gradually increase into a school of fish swirling into a look.

Then, I started to sketch an abstract design using eco and bio-degradable material of either vine or bamboo.

The shape and direction of the sculpture in this design became more integral to facing the ocean/city. The form starts closest to the decaying gum tree and loops around three times, gradually increasing in size until it reaches the widest end of the waterhole dividing into two parts and approaching the city with open arms.

[pokemon-outback]

Inspired by grass trees (genus Xanthorrhoea), this edition of Bonsly and Sudowoodo disguise themselves with grasslike hair. (Rock/Fighting)

[northshoretreevd]

Top 15 Interesting Facts About Australian Trees

The trees in Australia are a diverse group of native species that have adapted to survive and thrive in the unique environment of this continent. From towering eucalypts, acacias, bottlebrushes and myrtles to the small but abundant wattles, grevilleas and banksias, these trees provide both beauty and practical benefits to homeowners and tree lopping Sydney experts alike. 

The unique shrubs range from the iconic gum tree found along most highways in Australia to rare desert giants like the boab tree. Every one of these species offers something special for our environment – whether it be food for animals or people, shelter for wildlife or shade on hot days. In addition to providing essential resources for living things, they also create some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.

Australia is home to a vast array of native trees and plants, some growing in abundance and others quite rare. Here are the top 15 interesting facts about Australian trees that you might not know: 

1. Almost 80% of all eucalypts (genus Eucalyptus) occur only in Australia, with around 300 different species found here. 

2. The Wollemi Pine is one of the world’s oldest living tree species and was thought to have become extinct until it was discovered in 1994 by bushwalkers in New South Wales. It is now considered critically endangered in the wild but has been successfully propagated for sale as a garden plant since 2006. 

3. The tallest tree species in Australia is the Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans), which can reach heights of up to 90 metres. 

4. The Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) is the most widely distributed tree in south-eastern Australia, growing at altitudes ranging from sea level up to 1,400 metres. 

5. The Moreton Bay Fig Tree is one of the largest trees in Australia and was introduced by early settlers as a shade tree for their homes and farms. It can grow up to 35 metres high with an impressive trunk circumference of over 7 metres! 

6. Eucalypts are the main food source for koalas and over 700 species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. 

7. Australia has close to 1000 species of Acacia (also known as wattle) trees that are distributed across almost every type of environment in the country. 

8. The Gumbi Gumbi Tree is an important food source for Indigenous Australians, with both its leaves and bark used medicinally to treat a range of ailments including arthritis and digestive problems. 

9. The Kangaroo Apple is a small, flowering tree found in eastern Australia which produces edible fruits high in Vitamin C and beta-carotene. It’s also believed to have spiritual significance for Aboriginal people. 

10. Banksia trees are found throughout most of Australia and are the most commonly recognised species of flower in the country. Their flowers range from yellow, red and orange hues to deep purple and blue colours. 

11. The River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is one of the largest hardwood trees found in Australia, with a trunk circumference often exceeding 8 metres! It’s also known for its large roots that can extend up to 30 metres outwards from its base. 

12. Casuarina trees are native to Australia, but they have now been introduced into other countries such as India, South Africa and North America due to their rapid growth rate and high timber yield. 

13. The One Tree Hill (or Kulkyne), is a single eucalypt located in Victoria with an estimated age of over 10,000 years old! It’s believed to be the oldest living tree in Australia. 

14. The native Australian Grasstree (Xanthorrhoea preissii) is one of the most recognisable trees of the outback and can live for up to 500 years! 

15. Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) is a timber species commonly used by Indigenous Australians for tools, weapons and ceremonial purposes. Its wood is often referred to as ‘ironbark’ due to its strength and durability. 

These are just a few interesting facts about Australian trees that you may not have known. There are many more species of trees, from conifers to rainforest giants and even small shrubs, that make up the diverse landscape of this great country. So take some time to appreciate the beauty and wonder of our magnificent Australian trees!

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata

Xanthorrhoea is a wonderful genus of Australian planta sometimes referred to as “Australian Grass Trees”. They are not true grasses, nor are they really trees, though they do eventually form trunks. While they once had a family to themselves (Xanthorrhoaceae), they are currently placed in the Asphodel Family, along with many other plants including the aloes. Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata is native to the Adelaide area in South Australia, and its flower stalk resembles a giant cat-tail, with the dark green upper portion sprouting small star-like white flowers (a visiting bee can be seen in the lower photo). At the Ruth Bancroft Garden we have an old plant, and the one pictured is a seedling of this, having recently achieved flowering size.

-Brian

[nicrwilson]

Cunningham’s Gap (25.09.20)

By Nic Wilson

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[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.

[antoniettabrandeisova]

Xanthorrhoea, c. 1987. Cressida Campbell

[seedlingimage]

Xanthorrhoea concava

Cotyledons

Image taken 27 days after seed plated on water agar and incubated at 20C

[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

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Monday 30 December 2019

The mesmeric foliage of the slow growing, Xanthorrhoea glauca (Australian grass tree). This amazing plant is widespread in Western Australia but here it is growing in the cool glasshouse of Cambridge Botanic Garden, UK. It grows slowly but can live for 600 years, eventually producing a single trunk of up to 5m tall in the wild.

Jill Raggett