#grass tree

It took me 10 months to make this short video. It’s simply amazing to witness how these grass trees (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii) survived the bushfire and transformed from almost charcoals to full bloom in less than a year.

Xanthorrhoea comes from the Greek xanthos, which means 'yellow or golden' and rhoea which means ‘flowing or to flow’ and refers to the yellow gum or resin that flows from the stem.

abstract balga {australian native grass tree}

Deep creek national park

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. 

"Home is where the grass trees are" by Louise Coghill. (Larger).

Rainbow lorikeets on grass tree (Xanthorrhoea) flower spikes, Carnarvon Reserve, Queensland. Photo by Wayne Lawler/EcoPix.