Xanthorrhoea

tissue is decomposed. All species in the genus are perennials and have a secondary thickening meristem in the stem. Many, but not all, species develop an above ground stem. The stem may take up to twenty years to emerge. Plants begin as a crown of rigid grass-like leaves, the caudex slowly growing beneath. The main stem or branches continue to develop beneath the crown. This is rough-surfaced, built from accumulated leaf-bases around the secondarily thickened trunk. The trunk is sometimes unbranched, some species will branch if the growing point is damaged, and others naturally grow numerous branches. ==Systematics==

Taxonomy Xanthorrhoea is part of the family Asphodelaceae, containing related genera such as Aloe, Alstroemeria, Gasteria, Haworthia and Hemerocallis (to name a few), but is placed within its own monotypic subfamily, the Xanthorrhoeoideae. A reference to its yellow resin,) was a temporary designation in Solander's manuscript from his voyage with Cook, originally not meant for publication. have included a wide range of other genera in the same family as Xanthorrhoea. However, future anatomical and phylogenetic research supported the views of Dahlgren, whom regarded Xanthorrhoea as the sole taxon of the family Xanthorrhoeaceae sensu stricto, which is now treated as a subfamily, Xanthorrhoeoideae. The name grasstree is applied to many other plants. They are also known as balga grass plants, which derives from the word balga in the Noongar language of south-west of Western Australia, particularly for X. preissii. However a 2015 report written by Aboriginal Tasmanian authors, who refer to the plant as yamina, says "yamina forest on lungtalanana is important to the community. yamina are also commonly known as black boys. They are called this because the plant has a thick black trunk". In South Australia, Xanthorrhoea is commonly known as yakka, also spelled yacca and yacka, a name probably from the Kaurna language (Yakko, or alternatively Kurru). The Ngarrindjeri name is Bukkup. Some of the above names are applied specifically to Xanthorrhoea australis, the most common species. == Diversity and distribution ==

, Western Australia The genus is endemic to Australia, occurring in all national states and territories. Some species have a restricted range, others are widely distributed. According to the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, the following species are accepted: ==Habitat==

Grasstrees grow in coastal heaths, and wet and dry forests of Australia. They are drought and frost tolerant. The grass tree mainly occurs in soils that are very free draining and consequently low in nutrients. It survives in the poorest soils, with a shallow root system, enabling it easily access nutrients from decaying litter, while storing all the food reserves in its stem. ==Ecology==

The grass tree has developed adaptations that help it better suit the environment where it occurs. If a fire breaks out, the grass tree has a special physiological adaptation called thermal insulation that helps protect the plant. The grass tree holds its thick, dead leaves around its stem which serves as insulation, and helps to protect the plant against the heat of the fire. They need fire to clear away dead leaves and promote flowering, as these slow-growing trees were among the first flowering plants to evolve. Grass trees have developed a structural adaptation which helps the grass tree take advantage of soil fertilized with ash after fire, producing a flowering stalk in the aftermath. The grass tree forms a mycorrhizal relationship with fungi deep in its root system, wherein fungi live in a mutually beneficial relationship with the grass tree roots. The fungus increases the tree root's access to water and nutrients and therefore increases tree growth especially in poor conditions. The grass tree also suffers from a condition known as phytophthora dieback. Phytophthora cinnamomi is a discrete soil borne pathogen that attacks and destroys vascular root systems, causing hosts to perish through lack of nutrients and water. It is spread through infected plants and the movement of contaminated soil and gravel. The leaves of the grass tree are hosts to another fungi, Pseudodactylaria xanthorrhoeae. ==Cultivation==

Xanthorrhoea may be cultivated, as seed is easily collected and germinated. While they do grow slowly, quite attractive plants with short trunks () and leaf crowns up to (to the top of the leaves) can be achieved in 10 years. The slow growth rate means that it can take 30 years to achieve a specimen with a significant trunk. Most Xanthorrhoea sold in nurseries are established plants taken from bushland. Nurseries charge high prices for the plants. However, there is a very low survival rate for nursery-purchased plants (mainly due to over watering), which may take several years to die. The most successful examples of transplanting have been where a substantial amount of soil, greater than , has been taken with the plants. Xanthorrhoea is an iconic plant that epitomizes the Australian bush in its ability to live in poor nutrient soils and respond to wildfire. Commonly-grown species for the garden include Xanthorrhoea australis, X. malacophylla, and X. preissii. == Uses ==

Xanthorrhoea is important to the Aboriginal peoples. It is a highly-valued resource with many uses. It is also soaked in water and the nectar from the flowers gives a sweet-tasting drink. In the bush the flowers could reveal directions, since flowers on the warmer, sunnier side – usually north – of the spike often open before the flowers on the cooler side facing away from the sun. The resin from Xanthorrhoea plants is used in spear-making and is an invaluable adhesive for Aboriginal people, often used to patch up leaky coolamons (water containers) and even yidaki (didgeridoos). The dried flower stalk scape was also used to generate fire by the hand drill friction method. On the Tasmanian island of lungtalanana, Aboriginal people use the leaves for weaving. • Burnt as an incense in churches • A base component for a varnish used on furniture and in dwellings • A polish and a coating used on metal surfaces including stoves, tin cans used for storing meat and brass instruments • A component used in industrial processes, such as sizing paper, as well as making soap, perfumes, and early gramophone records == Gallery ==

File:Xanthorrhoea australis.jpg|X. australis flower spike, flowering File:Xanthorrhoea preissii flower spike.jpg|X. preissii flower spike, after fruiting ==References==