Bob Wemm
Member
Just thought that I would tell you a little about the Australian Grass Tree.
It used to be called "Blackboy" but that is not Politically correct in these modern times.
Zanthorrhoea belongs to the Lilly Family are there are eleven species that grow in Western Australia.
It is an extremely slow grower and a 10ft tall trunk would be 1000 years old, give or take a day or two.
The core of the trunk is obviously where the roots grow and that core is bell shaped and the roots grow out like those of a lilly or onion. The outer shell of the trunk comprises of finger like segments and these segments are the base of the "Grass leaves", and they are very sticky which holds them together. As the "Leaves" die they are shed like a Palm tree leaving the trunk exposed.
The plant usually grows one ring of segments each year and these are approximately 1/8 inch thick and are produced in such a manner that they fit between each other. That is why it takes so long to gain much height.
When the new "leaves" first appear they are soft, white and edible, tasting a bit like coconut.
The flower grows out of the top of the plant and is usually one straight spike, up to more than 3ft. tall and is covered with creamy white flowers for most of its height. One curious thing about Grass trees is the fact that if a deformed (not straight) flower is produced, then they will almost always be deformed in that particular plant.
The downside of this wonderous plant is that the dust from the wooden part is very dangerous, and full breathing protection is a must.
I should have gathered some photographs before starting this thread, but that is me, like a bull in a china shop. I promise some pics very soon.:frown:
I hope you enjoy this little bit of info.
Thanks for looking.
Bob.
It used to be called "Blackboy" but that is not Politically correct in these modern times.
Zanthorrhoea belongs to the Lilly Family are there are eleven species that grow in Western Australia.
It is an extremely slow grower and a 10ft tall trunk would be 1000 years old, give or take a day or two.
The core of the trunk is obviously where the roots grow and that core is bell shaped and the roots grow out like those of a lilly or onion. The outer shell of the trunk comprises of finger like segments and these segments are the base of the "Grass leaves", and they are very sticky which holds them together. As the "Leaves" die they are shed like a Palm tree leaving the trunk exposed.
The plant usually grows one ring of segments each year and these are approximately 1/8 inch thick and are produced in such a manner that they fit between each other. That is why it takes so long to gain much height.
When the new "leaves" first appear they are soft, white and edible, tasting a bit like coconut.
The flower grows out of the top of the plant and is usually one straight spike, up to more than 3ft. tall and is covered with creamy white flowers for most of its height. One curious thing about Grass trees is the fact that if a deformed (not straight) flower is produced, then they will almost always be deformed in that particular plant.
The downside of this wonderous plant is that the dust from the wooden part is very dangerous, and full breathing protection is a must.
I should have gathered some photographs before starting this thread, but that is me, like a bull in a china shop. I promise some pics very soon.:frown:
I hope you enjoy this little bit of info.
Thanks for looking.
Bob.
