grass tree

noun

any Australian plant of the genus Xanthorrhoea, of the lily family, having a stout, woody stem bearing a tuft of long grasslike leaves and a dense flower spike.

grass tree

noun

Also called: black boy.�� yacca.�� yacka.��any plant of the Australian genus Xanthorrhoea, having a woody stem, stiff grasslike leaves, and a spike of small white flowers: family Xanthorrhoeaceae . Some species produce fragrant resins See also acaroid gum
any of several similar Australasian plants

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Word History and Origins

Origin of grass tree¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

With her artist’s eye, she points out the Australian grass trees — Xanthorrhoea — tall clumps of grass with huge white flower plumes in spring that dry into brown wavy spikes.

From

"It is odd how they can cut down so many grass trees without tools," said Harry.

From

A fire could always be lighted with two grass trees, a small fork, and a bit of dry grass.

From

Then, not far off, would be found the grass tree, from the summit of which long pendants projected like enormous blades of grass.

From

Where the other sticks were from grass trees this was something else.

From

grass style grass up

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