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Xanthorrhoea bracteata
(Asphodelaceae) 4b:421 |
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Xanthorrhoea
bracteata (shiny grasstree) is endemic to Tasmania and
is listed as a threatened species.
Tufts of erect leaves form several crowns that emerge from a
caudex (basal stem) which is below ground. The needle like
leaf blades are 40-110cm in length, 1.5-3mm wide and 1-1.5mm
thick. As with other Xanthorrhoea species, established
plants can regenerate after injury.
A Flower spike is held erect on a scape, 30-50cm in length
and 4-9.5cm in diameter. The spike of flowers is
generally less than a third of the length of the scape
(7.5-40cm). Multiple flower spikes can be produced
during a flowering. Individual flowers are cream, the
outer perianth segments are smooth or only have a few hairs
and the apex is obtuse with a blunt extension. Flowers
mainly January to February but does not flower every year.
Flowering is considerably increased after a fire
event. Individual capsules contain a few black,
flat, oval shaped seeds.
X. bracteata grows in sandy, often acid and
waterlogged soils in coastal environs between Narawntapu
National Park and Waterhouse Point in the North East.
X.
arenaria and X. bracteata are very
similar making it difficult to discern one from the
other. The area or location where found can be of
assistance.
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University of Tasmania
