Grass trees

[redbeard917]

Anyone growing them? What species?

I don't know if they're exactly "tropical-looking", but I find them a bit fascinating. So I got my hands on a seedling of Xanthorrhoea johnsonii to try. I figured they would like our sun and well-drained soil. Apparently this species can withstand our winters as well, because it has been in the ground for a year now. Behind it is another Australia native, Livistona nitida.

I also have a slightly larger Dasylirion quadrangulatum that is doing fairly well, but don't have a picture of it on hand.

I had a Nolina "La Siberica" from Plant Delights, which grew well for a year or two, then collapsed and died for no apparent reason one day.

[Peter G]

You might not ever see that grass tree trunk, they are extremely slow growers.

The grass tree and our local Macrozamia are my two favourite plants growing around the Perth area.

[redbeard917]

I guess I'll have to be satisfied with future generations enjoying it. Although it has about doubled the number of leaves since I planted it. That gives me hope it will be around for a while.

What is your local Macrozamia sp.? I actually bought a moorei at the same time as this plant. It, however, received winter protection just in case.

[Peter G]

According to this map, our local Macro is Reidlei, this and the grass tree both grow in very sandy soils, yet remain very green.

[tropicbreeze]

That map is inaccurate. It shows Macrozamia riedlei as occupying the ranges of both M. riedlei and M. fraseri and leaves out M. fraseri. M. riedlei is in the southern area (below Perth), it doesn't normally form a trunk. M. fraseri is from around Perth and northwards, it does form a trunk. I've seen big stands of them (fraseri) right up to Lesueur National Park.

There are 2 Grass Trees in the south west, Xanthorrhoea preissii and the totally unrelated Kingia australis. They superficially resemble one another but the flowering gives away their ID.

[Geoff]

Here are some shots of the Mexican Grass Tree in southern California (Dasylirion quadrangulata… or longisima… STILL can't tell them apart). As far as I am aware, none of the other Dasylirions are referred to as grass trees, I assume because they have wide, intensely spiny, very un-grass-like foliage.

And here a bunch of Xanthorrhoeas, or Australian Grass Trees for comparison

Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata

Xanthorrhoea preissii

Xanthorrhoea resinosa

Xanthorrhoea glauca

Xanthorrhoea australis

Xanthorrhoea johnsonii

[realarch]

Whoa Geoff, thanks for the photos, such enigmatic plants.

We were just in Australia and saw Xanthorrhoea on both east and west coasts and now I assume we were seeing at least two different species.

The ones we saw south of Perth, as alluded to by tropicbreeze, were spectacular.

Tim

[Pedro 65]

Xanthorrea are abundant on top of Rocky outcrops in our beuatiful region

Pete

[tropicbreeze]

This is Kingia australis,

and Xanthorrhoea preissii.





Without the flowers a bit difficult to tell apart, despite being from 2 completely different families of plant.

So, this one is ..........?

And by the way, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii, from the east coast.

[realarch]

Thanks for the photos and names. I've seen some around Hilo town that are the size of that X. preissii in Geoff's post above.

Tim

[redbeard917]

Sure, it won't be trunking any time soon, but this thing is growing. It looks like it's put out a few leaves since June (see the first post for comparison). I probably won't be here when it does, but it's still cool to me to be able to grow a rare and unusual plant so far from its place of origin.

[WestCoastGal]

We have two Mexican Grass Trees (Dasylirion longissimum, syn. Dasylirion quadrangulatum) growing in pots flanking our French doors. Love them. They are on drip and don't require much water being desert plants. Cold hardy (San Marcos Growers lists as at least 15F) and fine with full sun and can take the heat although the tips can dry out. Our temp range has been mid 20s to over 100F since potting. This variety isn't armed and so is safe to use near pathways. Stiff long leaves can poke I guess but aren't completely rigid and can move away from the trunk when brushed against. They are opposite our outdoor dining table and when the wind blows the plant has nice movement so interesting to view. Architecturally looks great lit up. So far our plants haven't put out a flower spike.

[John Case]

My Xanthorrhoea preissii - 4 years old from seed.

Xanthorrhoea preissii

[Bazza]

Thanks for the thread and all the intel and pics!

Always wanted to grow these and even ordered seed from Oz but had very poor germination results - part of which was my fault I'm sure.

 

I haven't given up on getting some. Maybe I'll try seed again....