Xanthorrhoea semiplana ssp. tateana

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

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae (Liliaceae)

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington at Cromer, South Australia

Leaves

Taken by Unknown Photographer

Flowers

Taken by Unknown Photographer

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

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

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

Plant Shape

Standard Crown - Dense

Growth Rate

Very Slow

Life Span

100-150yrs

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Blue-green

Shape(s)

Linear

Aroma

None

Texture (front)

Glaucous

Leaf Length(s)

900mm-1m

Leaf Width(s)

10-15mm

Cross Section(s)

Rhomboid

Venation(s)

Parallel Multicostate Convergent

Arrangement

Dense Crown

Apice(s)

Acute Narrowly

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Black , Brown Dark

Black,

Brown Dark

Texture(s) Upper

Rough / Scabrous

Coarse

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Pith Continuous

Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section

Terete

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Spring Late - Summer Mid

Flower Colour(s)

Cream-white, Cream

Cream-white,

Cream

Flower Size(s) Width

15-20mm

Petal Shape(s)

Linear

Aroma(s)

Sweet-slight

Arrangement(s)

Spike

Arrangement Size(s)

1-2m

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Insects, Birds

Bees,

Insects,

Birds

Male and Female Flowers, Borne

On Same Flower Head

Fruit Properties

Type

Coccetum

Shape(s)

Deltoid

Outer Colour(s)

Brown Dark

Outer Texture

Rough / Scabrous

Spinulose

Rough / Scabrous,

Spinulose

Length

15-20mm

Seed Properties

Type

Samara

Colour(s)

Black

Shape(s)

Cuneate

Texture(s)

Papery

Smooth

Papery,

Smooth

Seed Number

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Texture

Rough / Scabrous

Stiff , Wiry

Stiff,

Wiry

Colour(s)

Brown Dark

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

Dry

Moist,

Dry

Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained

Poor,

Deep,

Shallow,

Well Drained

Salinities

None

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Moderate

Bird Attraction

Nectar, Insect, Seed

Nectar,

Insect,

Seed

Butterfly Attraction

Moderate

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

Nectar

Fire Regeneration(s)

Seed, Regrowth

Seed,

Regrowth

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Good

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Moderate

Indigenous Use(s)

Nectar

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

None

Pests/Diseases

Phytophthora cinnamomi

Special Purpose(s)

Phytophthora Susceptible, Shady Moist, Specimen

Phytophthora Susceptible,

Shady Moist,

Specimen

Propagation

Fresh Seed

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.

Propagation Notes

Smoke Stratified Seed

Flowering

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Seed Collecting

Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Sowing

Sep, Oct, Nov, Apr, May, Jun

Material Preparation

Cut off the spike as the capsules on the spike are just starting to open and the seed has turned black inside. Dry the spike fully in a warm place and the seed should full out of the capsule. Clean. Store in a cool dark place until sowing time.

Viability:- 1 - 3 years

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

3 parts Seed Raising Mix + 1 part washed sand

Treatment

Sow seed, cover lightly with mix, fine gravel, water in with smoked water, place outside.

Viable seeds/gram:- 25 - 55

Germination time:- 26 – 52 weeks

Pricking out:- 26 – 45 weeks into tubes after germination

Tube Mix:- 3 parts Seed Raising Mix + 1 part washed sand

Notes

Add a small amount of Puffball Fungus spore to encourage soil mychorriza to aid the germination and root growth in both the seed raising mix and the potting mix.

Tube stock can be 2-3 years old before it is large enough to plant out.

For direct seeding, sow from mid-winter in low rainfall areas and spring in higher rainfall areas.