Xanthorrhoea australis - Southern Grass Tree - 30 seeds

Xanthorrhoea australis, the common Grass Tree is well known to Australians, particularly those living in the more southern easterly states from South Australia to Tasmania, through Victoria and into New South Wales and the ACT, giving it probably the largest and most diverse range of all the Grass Tree species. 
 
This species forms a trunk in time and may branch once, or even twice, to form compound heads but are more normally a single stem with a skirt of long grass-like leaves up to 1m or more in length.  The spear like flower spike on these can reach 4 to 5m, taller than most other species. 
The flowers, which appear in the late Spring and into Summer (depending on the seasonal conditions) are small, white to cream and cluster along the length of the flower spike turning it into a long white rod when in full bloom.  
This species is nectar producing making it most attractive to nectar seeking birds.
 
As is well known, grass trees generally are very slow growing and it can take 10 years for this species to flower and many many years to form a trunk, however you can expect a splendid rockery feature with radiating leaves in three to four years.
 
This species likes a well drained sunny position, is frost hardy, bird attracting and easily propagated from seed.
 
Grass Trees are an iconic species in Australia and have had a long history of cultural
use both by the Indigenous Australians and subsequently by Europeans. 
The Southern Grass Tree, along with other Grasstree species, were and are a staple plant for the Indigenous Australians, providing food, drink, fibre and materials for making implements and weapons. 
 
The dried flower stems were used for spears and to light fires by rubbing two pieces of stalk together.  The resin flakes were collected from around the base of the stalk, which was heated and the resulting substance rolled into balls that were later reheated and used to glue stone flakes to wooden spear shafts or woomeras, and to join and repair broken implements. 
The tough seed pods were used as knives to cut meat or harvest insect larvae from inside the old flower stalks and the dead bases.  
 
The white tender sections of the leaf bases were eaten, as well as seed, which was collected and ground into flour to provide a dough for damper.  
Grass Trees also provided edible grubs that could be found and dug out at the base of the trunk, as well small sweet pockets of honey extracted from the Carpenter Bee’s cellular nests, which were often bored into the soft pith of the flower stalk.  
The flower nectar was used to produce a sweet, fresh, slightly fermented drink by soaking the flowering spike in water.
 
30 premium quality seeds shipped on receipt of cleared funds.