Grass tree
Xanthorrhoea preissii
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
What it is like
A plant which can be 5 m high. The trunk is often crooked and formed from old leaf bases. It has one or more clumps of long, slender, brittle leaves. These are diamond shaped in cross section. The flower spike can be 3 m long. It has thousands of small white flowers. It flowers after fire.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It will grow on a range of soils. It grows in coastal lowlands. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The gum from the flower spike is made into cakes. There are also grubs which are edible.
Edible parts
Base leaves, flower spike
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Fire will stimulate flowering.
Its other names
Local names
Balga, Balka, Black boy, Common blackboy, Pohon rumput