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Bottlebrush grass tree Native to this country, growing in sclerophyll forest; north from the Sydney region. Trunk absent; sometimes branched below ground. Crowns are in a loosely upright or deflexed tuft. Leaves 3 mm width with a sandpaper texture. Scape 1–1.5 m height, 4–5 mm diameter, spike 5 –13 cm long. The plant has yellow flowers resembling those of Banksia or Bottlebrush, around 10 cm long (immature flower heads seen atop spikes at front of this grouping). Asparagales,Asphodelaceae,Australia,Bottlebrush grass tree,Flora,Geotagged,Winter,Xanthorrhoea macronema,botany,bottlebrush grass tree,new south wales,plant Click/tap to enlarge Species introCountry intro

Bottlebrush grass tree

Native to this country, growing in sclerophyll forest; north from the Sydney region. Trunk absent; sometimes branched below ground. Crowns are in a loosely upright or deflexed tuft. Leaves 3 mm width with a sandpaper texture. Scape 1–1.5 m height, 4–5 mm diameter, spike 5 –13 cm long. The plant has yellow flowers resembling those of Banksia or Bottlebrush, around 10 cm long (immature flower heads seen atop spikes at front of this grouping).

    comments (2)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    A fascinating plant. Visually simple yet with a stunning biology. Reminds me somewhat of this:

    Devil's Garden, La Isla Escondida, Colombia A quick snap with the smartphone of some seemingly dull scenery. Yet there's some spectacular biology going on here...<br /> <br /> We're looking at a clearing in primary rain forest here. Yet not a man-made clearing. Which is strange, as in primary rain forests you'll be hard-pressed to find any clear area, as vegetation uses every inch of the forest floor in the battle for daylight.<br /> <br /> This natural clearing, called a Devil's Garden or Garden of Satan, is the result of the narrow tree you see in the middle. Species in the Duroia genus are capable of biochemical reactions that inhibit the growth of other plants in its surroundings. This specific species of tree is further aided by a symbiotic relation with the Lemon Ant, who helps to suppress plant growth around the tree by injecting acid into them. Not only that, the ant aggressively defends against other ant species as well as herbivores.<br /> <br /> The cost of this symbiotic relation to the tree is high: the Lemon ant will basically strip the tree clean of most of its leafs, as you can see in this shot. Colombia,Colombia 2018,Colombia South,Duroia hirsuta,La Isla Escondida,Putumayo,South America
     Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
    1. View Ruth Spigelman's profile
      Ruth Spigelman
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Interesting - yes, I get that similarity for sure. I read somewhere that mature grass trees look like they could only have come from the imagination of Dr.Suess! How about that for a misleading common name though, neither bottlebrush, grass nor trees. Posted 4 years ago

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The Bottlebrush grass tree

''Xanthorrhoea macronema'' is a forest plant in the genus Xanthorrhoea, found in coastal regions of eastern Australia north of Sydney, New South Wales to Fraser Island, Queensland. The trunk of this grass tree is underground.

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Similar species: Agaves, Aloes, Onions
Species identified by Ruth Spigelman
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By Ruth Spigelman

All rights reserved
Uploaded Oct 5, 2020. Captured Sep 6, 2020 11:35 in Unnamed Road, Tomago NSW 2322, Australia.
country flag of Australia Explore Australia 13,073 4,173 3
  • NIKON D850
  • f/10.0
  • 10/500s
  • ISO320
  • 36mm
Captured in the winter. More winter photos.

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