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XANTHORRHOEA australis-1g
Grass Tree or Blackboy
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
Sub-family: Xanthorrhoeoideae
Characteristics: Perennial monocot 1.5 m
Seed per packet: Approx 15
Seed per gram: Approx. 40
Grass trees are widely recognised throughout the world as being uniquely Australian.
Typically develops a rough trunk which may be branched and often coloured black as the result of surviving many bush fires. Long narrow leaves occur on the top of the trunks.
The individual flowers are white or cream and very small, clustered together in a spear-like spike that can tower 2 metres or more above the top of the trunk.
A food source for nectar-eating birds and butterflies when in flowers and seed-eating birds when the seed is developing.
Endemic to South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
Prefers a light well-drained soil in an open sunny position. Frost resistant but drought tender.
Grow notes:
Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C for this species.
Xanthorrhoea germinate readily from seed with no special pre-treatment.
- Sow seed on surface of a porous seed raising mix and cover to a depth of 1-2 mm. Do not bury seed deeply.
- Water with fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
- Place in a warm shaded or semi shaded position to avoid dying out.
- Keep warm & moist, avoid drying out or waterlogging the growing mix.
- Germination generally occurs in around 10-28 days in the right condition.
General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.
We now stock a range of Propagation Accessories including the popular Aquamiser Propagation Kits, Pots, Native and Forestry Tubes, Trays, Labels and more.
We can only ship these items to Australian locations, international customers please request shipping quotation prior to purchasing.
Importing to Tasmania Prohibited