Old Man of the Bush
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326170)
Rockingham, Australia
January 29, 2016 9:29pm CST
On our way home from the Australia Day celebrations we stopped so Vince could take this photo of a Xanthorrhoeaceae or grasstree. The old name of blackboy is no longer acceptable. There are about 30 species of these flowering plants which are endemic to Australia. All are slow-growing although some species grow faster than others. The rate of growth is said to be roughly an inch (2.5cm) per year.
We think this one is about 5 metres (16.4 ft) which makes it at least 200 years old and possibly much more. It is now leaning precariously and someone has thoughtfully placed a support against it. When I was young the trunks were valued as kindling but today's flues are likely to clag up with the resin from the material.
These are now popular in modern gardens but usually die within 3 to 4 years unless a cubic metre of soil is removed from around the plant and transplanted with it.
16 people like this
15 responses
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Jan 16
It looks a bit like our palm trees (I wonder if they may be related somehow), but obviously different too. Sounds like they are quite sensitive if they only live a few short years but how wonderful if this one can keep on thriving!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (326170)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 16
The surrounding soil has a lot of microbes that the plants need to survive. When they are transplanted these microbes are usually left behind. It's a bit of a con as if they last a couple of years people don't blame the nursery but blame themselves.
2 people like this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
30 Jan 16
What a beauty, it looks like the guardian of the land.
4 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
30 Jan 16
fascinating plant that needs its own soil transporting with it, rather like Dracula holding onto his own grave soil from Transylvania wherever he goes
2 people like this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
30 Jan 16
I'm glad you stopped, that's a great looking tree, and some interesting facts.
2 people like this
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
30 Jan 16
Wow! 200 years old of age or more. The stop was worth it, nice picture captured.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326170)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 16
@nottoooldtowrite It looks quite healthy as long as it doesn't fall over.
2 people like this
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
30 Jan 16
@JudyEv very very old but the tree look like it can still go another hundred years...
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
24 Mar 16
These plants can only be removed from the bush if you have a special license as they are protected. Same goes for some other plants waratahs, bush orchids and staghorns and elkhorns. People do steal them though and then they die. Sad really.
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