Xanthorrhoea semiplana ssp. tateana

Common name(s): Tate's Grass Tree, Kangaroo Grass Tree

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae (Liliaceae)
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington at Cromer, South Australia
Leaf
Leaves
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Flower
Flowers
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Seed_scale_05
Seeds Scale 0.5mm
Taken by Unknown Photographer
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • SA: EP, SL, YP, KI
Plant Type
Herb-Perennial
Herb-Perennial
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Cool
Temperate Cool
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled
Sun - Full,
Shade - Dappled
Habitat Range(s)
Forest - Grassy, Open Woodlands
Forest - Grassy,
Open Woodlands
Habitat Zone(s)
Dry Slopes, Exposed, Exposed Stony embankments, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Hills, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Ridges, Rock crevices, Rocky, Slopes, Well drained, Windy
Dry Slopes,
Exposed,
Exposed Stony embankments,
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Hills,
Moist areas,
Moist Slopes,
Open areas,
Ridges,
Rock crevices,
Rocky,
Slopes,
Well drained,
Windy
Mature Height
2.5-3m
2.5-3m
Plant Shape
Standard Crown - Dense
Standard Crown - Dense
Standard Crown - Dense Standard Crown - Dense
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Very Slow
Life Span
100-150yrs
100-150yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Blue-green
Blue-green
Shape(s)
Linear
Linear
Linear Linear
Aroma
None
None
Texture (front)
Glaucous
Glaucous
Glaucous Glaucous
Leaf Length(s)
900mm-1m
900mm-1m
Leaf Width(s)
10-15mm
10-15mm
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Black , Brown Dark
Black,
Brown Dark
Texture(s) Upper
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Coarse
Coarse
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous Pith Continuous
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Spring Late - Summer Mid
Flower Colour(s)
Cream-white, Cream
Cream-white,
Cream
Aroma(s)
Sweet-slight
Sweet-slight
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Insects, Birds
Bees,
Insects,
Birds
Male and Female Flowers, Borne
On Same Flower Head
On Same Flower Head
Fruit Properties
Type
Coccetum
Coccetum
Coccetum Coccetum
Outer Colour(s)
Brown Dark
Brown Dark
Outer Texture
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Spinulose
Spinulose
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous,
Spinulose Spinulose
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Fibrous Fibrous
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony, Shaley
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand,
Stony,
Shaley
pH Range(s)
Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline,
Alkaline
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Dry
Dry
Moist Moist,
Dry Dry
Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained
Poor,
Deep,
Shallow,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Bird Attraction
Nectar, Insect, Seed
Nectar,
Insect,
Seed
Butterfly Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
Nectar
Nectar
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Good
Good
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
Good
Good
Pests/Diseases
Phytophthora cinnamomi
Phytophthora cinnamomi
Special Purpose(s)
Phytophthora Susceptible, Shady Moist, Specimen
Phytophthora Susceptible,
Shady Moist,
Specimen

General Notes

An attractive trunked member of the genus, with long grass like leaves and individual flower spikes up to 2 metres tall. Faster growing than a lot of the genus but harder to find in cultivation. It takes several years before it flowers and flowers prolifically after a bush fire. Some are estimated to be 250-350 years old. A good specimen or feature plant in groups. 

Aborigines soaked the flowering spikes in water to produce a sweet drink. The soft, white leaf bases were eaten, while the flower spike resin was used as an adhesive in the manufacture of tools.

A food source for nectar eating birds and butterflies.