Xanthorrhoea

A genus of around 20 endemic species of very long-lived plants, it is commonly believed that the Xanthorrhoea grow at a rate of about an inch (2½ cm) iever one hundred years. Xanthorrhoea do grow very slowly, but this is a gross underestimate: after an initial establishment phase the average rate of growth varies for each species but can be as high as about 2½ cm per year. Thus a 5 metre tall member of one of the fastest growing Xanthorrhoea would be about 200 years old.

They are a wonderful sight in the Australian bush, their long narrow leaves crowded at the top of the trunk from which arises a long cylindrical flower spike. The most well known common name for the Xanthorrhoea is blackboy. This name refers to the similarity in appearance to an Aboriginal boy holding an upright spear. Some consider this name to be politically incorrect, preferring grasstree.

This specimen does not have it's flowering spike yet.