Xanthorrhoea gracilis
Xanthorrhoea gracilis, commonly known as the graceful grasstree, grassboy or mimidi,[1] is a species of grasstree of the genus Xanthorrhoea native to Western Australia.[2]
| Xanthorrhoea gracilis | |
|---|---|
| Xanthorrhoea gracilis at the Bridgetown Jarrah Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Xanthorrhoeoideae |
| Genus: | Xanthorrhoea |
| Species: | X. gracilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Xanthorrhoea gracilis | |
Description edit
The tufted perennial grass tree typically grows to a height of 2 metres (7 ft) with no trunk, scape of 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) and the flower spike to 0.2 metres (1 ft). It blooms between October and January producing cream-white flowers.[2] Although the plant has no visible stem, branches form on the stem underground. There can be a single crown or many which have a loosely upright to decumbent tuft appearance.[3] The long slender green leaves are about 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) long, irregularly rounded depressed-obtrullate to depressed-cuneate in cross section, usually about 3 millimetres (0.12 in) wide and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) and are hairy at the base.[3]
Taxonomy edit
The species was first formally described by the botanist Stephan Endlicher in 1846 as part of Johann Georg Christian Lehmann's work Irideae. Plantae Preissianae.[4]X. gracilis is a close relative of Xanthorrhoea macronema from eastern Australia.[3]
Distribution edit
It his found along the west coast in the Wheatbelt, Peel, South West and along the south coast into the Great Southern region of Western Australia. It extends from Carnamah in the north to Plantagenet in the south-east where it grows in sandy-loamy soils with lateritic gravel.[2] It is mostly found as part of the jarrah forest ecosystem as part of the understorey. Canopy species include Eucalyptus marginata, E. calophylla and Allocasuarina fraseriana while substorey species include Banksia grandis, Persoonia elliptica, P. longifolia. Associated species in the understorey that are common include Anigozanthos humilis, Grevillea wilsonii and Hakea amplexicaulis.[5]
Cultivation edit
The plant can be grown from seed and prefers a position in full sun and is drought tolerant.[1] It is susceptible to Phytophthora dieback.[6] X. gracilis is able to resprout from subterranean buds following bushfire.[5] Seedlings are rarely seen in the wild as a result of being grazed upon by the western gray kangaroo.[7] The flowers are fragrant making the plant attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. It is suitable to grow in containers and is suitable for xeriscaping.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b "Xanthorrhoea gracilis". Nindethana. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ a b c "Xanthorrhoea gracilis". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b c "Xanthorrhoea gracilis Endl., in J.G.C.Lehmann, Pl. Preiss 2: 39 (1846)". Flora of Australia Online. Commonwealth of Australia. 1986. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Xanthorrhoea gracilis Endl". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ a b Bernard Dell; J.J. Havel; N. Malajczuk (2012). The Jarrah Forest: A complex mediterranean ecosystem. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9789400931114.
- ^ "Diagnosis for Phytophthora Dieback". Dieback Working Group. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ Mary Allessio; Leck, V.; Thomas Parker; Robert L. Simpson (2008). Seedling Ecology and Evolution. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781316583111.
- ^ "Grass-Tree, Mimidi - Xanthorrhoea gracilis". Dave's Garden. Retrieved 5 June 2017.