Grass Trees
Grass Trees are attractive and extremely resilient native Australian plants. These perennials consist of 28 species and five subspecies bearing flowers on a long spike growing up to 3 metres. Grass Trees are drought-resistant and although bushfires blacken their stumps and foliage, they do stimulate regrowth and flowering. These are extremely slow-growing plants, perhaps one metre per 100 years - dependent on species, but they have a lifespan of some 500 years. The trunk takes a decade to form as it consists of old leave matter sealed together with a natural resin while the flowering spike grows at about 2 cm per day. Mature plants flowers every 2-3 years and grow to a maximum height of about 4 metres. There are several common names for Grass Trees. These include Yakka or Yacca in South Australia and Blackboy derived from seemingly resembling an Aboriginal boy holding an upright spear. This name is not generally used anymore as it was perceived as offensive. These plants have traditionally been very important to indigenous tribes as the flowering stalk was used as a fishing spear and the flower nectar gave a pleasant sweet drink. Also the plant’s resin was used as a natural adhesive and for making spears.

Blogs