Grass tree
An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.
Read more about Grass tree
Only found in Australia, the grass tree is a hardy native that thrives in well-drained soils across the continent.
With several species, including the southern and dwarf varieties, grass trees are widespread across eastern NSW from the coastal regions extending inland. All species have been given the common name of ‘grass trees’ as they are ‘monocots’, which are able to form trunks from their long, thin leaves.
Although a slow-growing plant, grass trees can grow to a height of 1-5m. It not only tolerates but flourishes after bushfires, as fire encourages prolific flowering.
Plant facts
- Common name
- Grass tree
- Scientific name
- Xanthorrea spp.
- Conservation status in NSW
- Protected
Parks in which this plant is found
- Blackheath area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Border Ranges National Park
- Crowdy Bay National Park
- Garigal National Park
- Glenbrook area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Glenrock State Conservation Area
- Guula Ngurra National Park
- Hat Head National Park
- Heathcote National Park
- Horton Falls National Park
- Katoomba area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- Lane Cove National Park
- Lower Grose Valley area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Lower Snowy River area in Kosciuszko National Park
- Morton National Park
- Mount Jerusalem National Park
- Mount Kaputar National Park
- Mount Wilson area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Munmorah State Conservation Area
- Popran National Park
- Royal National Park
- Southern Blue Mountains area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Sydney Harbour National Park
- Tomaree National Park
- Yuraygir National Park