Flat leaved grass tree
Xanthorrhoea latifolia
Can be or without a trunk producing long cylindrical flower spikes covered with cream flowers. Spikes can be up to 3m tall. The flowering part of the ‘spear’ is usually less than half its length. Leaves tend to be flat or flat triangle in cross section. Attracts nectar eating birds and insects.
Type of Plant
Size
3m tall x 1.5m spread
Flower Structure
Tiny flowers
Flower Colour
White, Cream
Flowers When?
Autumn, Winter, Spring
Leaves
Long flat leaves
Light Levels
Full Sun, Light Shade
Soil Types
Sandy, Light forest soil, Sandy loam
Soil Moisture
Well Drained
Garden Use
Garden Filler, Feature, Mass plantings
Care
Low maintanance
Special Features
Handls stong winds
Attracts
Bees, Other Insects, Nectar Eating Birds
Family
Xanthorrhoeaceae
Cultivars, Hybrids, Varieties
History, meaning of the name
A reference to its yellow resin, Xanthorrhoea literally means “yellow-flow” in Ancient Greek. Smith named it, in 1798, from xanthos (‘yellow, golden’) and rhœa (‘flowing, flow’).
Distribution
Usually found growing in sandy or gravelly soil in the coastal regions of eastern Australia north from Wyong, New South Wales up to Cairns Queensland.