#Xanthorrhoea

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata

Xanthorrhoeas are widely known as "grass trees", and in time many of them do develop trunks, but this is a very slow process. Our oldest specimen of Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata is over 40 years old, and to say it has a one-foot trunk would probably be an exaggeration. But it is a very attractive multi-headed clump with very narrow and needle-like bluish leaves, out of which emerge tall flower stalks that look like large versions of cattail rushes (until the small white flowers open). Despite their small size, the flowers apparently have enough nectar to attract hummingbirds, as can be seen in the photo.

-Brian

[melankoliadam]

Modern Landscape - Landscape This is an illustration of a sizable, formal, brick backyard garden in the springtime.

[wenbochenphoto]

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.

[bzjphotos]

Xanthorrhoea

Intrepid 4x5, Rodenstock 210mm f5.6 Reflx Lab Pro 100, C41 Process

[nuytsia]

Hardenbergia vine growing up a Xanthorrhoea grass tree flower spike

[margotsayshellogarden]

Grass trees – care tips and cultural knowledge from three Xanthorrhoea e...

[portraitsofflora]

Day 285 — Xanthorrhoea Australis

[mariellejohnston]

WEEK 5

Task 5 - BARRAMBIN SITE DESIGN SKETCH

Burrumbin undeniably spoke of its meaning, often swept by gusts of wind that created a refreshing atmosphere from the top of the hill. I noticed the shape of the park's landscape was arched, facing east with bright green rolling hills, bending trees and grasses in its direction.

Although there was a lot to be inspired about in this park, two aspects inspired me the most during my experience on the walk.

The first was how I noticed the grass trees (Xanthorrhoea) on the park's south side had two flowers growing from each plant, spiraling around each other up to the sky.

The second aspect that inspired me was on Site 1. The new native tree crop planted on the hill slope closest to the inner-city bypass highway, I noticed the lowest part of the gully had thick, fresh grass to sit on. Here, I faced east towards the cityscape feeling the breeze, observing the diverse bird life in this waterhole, and contemplating the strong contrast and contour of a bright green park to the city maze of metal and concrete, a monochrome grid of towering structures and rigid angles.

This site drew me in most to sketch up a design of a spatial artwork. I

The planar surface of the water became a perfect base for a potential sculpture. The wind and water were two elements that I wanted to embrace in the design. So I started to sketch up the motion of fish swimming and flowing with the wind. The brim appears to begin from the east side of the waterhole as if they are arriving from the ocean and gradually increase into a school of fish swirling into a look.

Then, I started to sketch an abstract design using eco and bio-degradable material of either vine or bamboo.

The shape and direction of the sculpture in this design became more integral to facing the ocean/city. The form starts closest to the decaying gum tree and loops around three times, gradually increasing in size until it reaches the widest end of the waterhole dividing into two parts and approaching the city with open arms.

[pokemon-outback]

Inspired by grass trees (genus Xanthorrhoea), this edition of Bonsly and Sudowoodo disguise themselves with grasslike hair. (Rock/Fighting)

[adventureswithteddy]

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. 

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Xanthorrhoea minor

Xanthorrhoeas are known as Australian grass trees, but it is hard to think of the diminutive Xanthorrhoea minor as a tree. Despite its small size, it has the needle-like leaves typical if the genus, along with the spires of tiny white flowers. It comes from the southeast corner of Australia.

-Brian

[nicrwilson]

Cunningham’s Gap (25.09.20)

By Nic Wilson

Instagram  Tumblr  Website  Prints

[wenbochenphoto]

Unlike most other grass trees, Xanthorrhoea macronema grows in forest with an underground stem. The bottlebrush-like flower spike is distinctive and attracts native bees.

[antoniettabrandeisova]

Xanthorrhoea, c. 1987. Cressida Campbell

[stitpics]

Golden West Australia, 2015. Bluff Knoll, Xanthorrhoea Grass Tree and its seed heads, all in the Stirling Ranges National Park. Bluff Knoll, 1099m is 2nd the tallest point between Mt Canobolas in Eastern Australia and the Drakensberg Mountains in Western South Africa

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Monday 30 December 2019

The mesmeric foliage of the slow growing, Xanthorrhoea glauca (Australian grass tree). This amazing plant is widespread in Western Australia but here it is growing in the cool glasshouse of Cambridge Botanic Garden, UK. It grows slowly but can live for 600 years, eventually producing a single trunk of up to 5m tall in the wild.

Jill Raggett