Xanthorrhoea

This is a genus of flowering plants native to Australia. In close proximity to my town is the Warby Range. Sprinkled through the principally eucalypt-timbered terrain is this fascinating grasstree. What intrigues me most is that depending on the species, their age can vary from 200 to 600 years!

Once again my quest for a blipfoto has galvanized my long held intention to capture the unique structure of this ancient grass. It was a challenge! Namely to find one unencumbered by surrounding foliage plus be able to give some contrast to the long spike on which the flowers are borne.

What luck! I found not one, but two in close proximity fulfilling these criteria. And only after scrambling through the bush for one hour. Mother Nature was also kind with the wonderful lighting produced by the cloud cover of an impending thunderstorm.

The best known common name for the Xanthorrhoea is blackboy. This name refers to the purported similarity in appearance of the trunked species to an Aboriginal boy holding an upright spear. I find this a beautiful analogy and imagery given the ancient history of both, but some people now consider this name to be offensive, or at least belonging to the past, preferring instead grasstree. Depending on the tribe and area, the Aboriginal names for the grasstree are balga and yakka.

The clever Aboriginals also put this plant to great use. The flowering spike makes a perfect fishing spear and soaked in water the nectar from the flowers gives a beautiful sweet tasting drink.

As a final bonus its resin proved an invaluable adhesive for Aboriginal people, not only for their spear-making but to patch up leaky coolamons (water-containers) and even yidaki (didgeridoos).

Spikes look great on large.