GRASS TREE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Grass tree

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

Listen

noun

Grass tree n. (Bot.)

(a)

An Australian plant of the genus Xanthorrhoea, having a thick trunk crowned with a dense tuft of pendulous, grasslike leaves, from the center of which arises a long stem, bearing at its summit a dense flower spike looking somewhat like a large cat-tail. These plants are often called "blackboys" from the large trunks denuded and blackened by fire. They yield two kinds of fragrant resin, called Botany-bay gum, and Gum Acaroides.

(b)

A similar Australian plant (Kingia australis).

See images of 'Grass tree'

Etymology of 'Grass tree'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Grass tree" Quotes from Famous Books

... forests rustled betrayingly, but the Terrans displayed no interest in those who spied upon them. An insect with wings of brilliant green gauze detached itself from the stalk of a grass tree and fluttered ahead of the Traders as if it were an official herald. From the red soil crushed by their boots arose a pungent odor which fought with the scent they carried with them. Dane swallowed three or four times and hoped that his superior ...

— Plague Ship • Andre Norton

Words linked to "Grass tree" : tree, Cordyline, Cordyline australis, genus Cordyline, Xanthorroea, Richea, arborescent plant, genus Xanthorroea, tree heath, genus Richea, Australian heath, Richea pandanifolia, cabbage tree, Australian grass tree, grass tree family