Xanthorrhoea johnsonii

Common name(s): Yacca, Grass Tree, Johnson's Grass Tree, Queensland Grass Tree, Northern Grass Tree

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae (Asphodelaceae)
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Flower
Flowers
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Seed_scale_05
Seeds Scale 0.5mm
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington on 11th August, 2025 at Morayfields, Queensland
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: NS, NT, NC, NP, CC
  • NT: CS
  • QLD: CO, KN, KS, LE, PC, BN, WB, DD, MO
Plant Type
Herb-Perennial
Herb-Perennial
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub, Tropical
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean,
Tropical-Sub,
Tropical
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled
Sun - Full,
Shade - Dappled
Habitat Range(s)
Garden, Forest - Grassy, Heath, Landscape, Open Woodlands, Sclerophyll Forest - Wet
Garden,
Forest - Grassy,
Heath,
Landscape,
Open Woodlands,
Sclerophyll Forest - Wet
Habitat Zone(s)
Exposed Stony embankments, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Ridges, Rock crevices, Rocky, Sandy Moist, Understory, Well drained
Exposed Stony embankments,
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Moist areas,
Moist Slopes,
Open areas,
Ridges,
Rock crevices,
Rocky,
Sandy Moist,
Understory,
Well drained
Mature Height
5-6m
5-6m
Plant Shape
Standard Crown - Dense
Standard Crown - Dense
Standard Crown - Dense Standard Crown - Dense
Growth Rate
Slow
Slow
Life Span
300-400yrs
300-400yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Green
Green
Colour (back)
Green
Green
Shape(s)
Linear
Linear
Linear Linear
Aroma
None
None
Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Leaf Length(s)
500-600mm
500-600mm
Leaf Width(s)
20-25mm
20-25mm
Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Black , Brown
Black,
Brown
Texture(s) Upper
Bristly / Hispid
Bristly / Hispid
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Bristly / Hispid Bristly / Hispid,
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous Pith Continuous
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Trunk / Stem / Culm Length
3.5-4m
3.5-4m
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Autumn Late - Summer Early
Flower Colour(s)
Cream
Cream
Aroma(s)
Sweet-slight
Sweet-slight
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Insects, Birds
Bees,
Insects,
Birds
Male and Female Flowers, Borne
On Same Plant
On Same Plant
Fruit Properties
Type
Coccum
Coccum
Coccum Coccum
Outer Colour(s)
Brown
Brown
Outer Texture
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Fibrous Fibrous
Deep
Deep
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Moist Moist
Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained
Poor,
Deep,
Shallow,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Bird Attraction
Nectar
Nectar
Butterfly Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
Nectar
Nectar
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
Good
Good
Pests/Diseases
Phytophthora cinnamomi
Phytophthora cinnamomi
Special Purpose(s)
Foliage, Foliage-interesting, Interesting Buds or Fruit, Interesting Trunk, Phytophthora Susceptible, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Specimen, Sunny Moist
Foliage,
Foliage-interesting,
Interesting Buds or Fruit,
Interesting Trunk,
Phytophthora Susceptible,
Shade Tolerant,
Shady Dry,
Shady Moist,
Specimen,
Sunny Moist

General Notes

An iconic specimen or feature plant for gardens and landscaping with trunks up to 3 metres tall and sometimes branched. Very slow growing, about 88mm per year, it takes several years before it flowers and flowers prolifically after a bush fire. Some are estimated to be 350-450 years old.

A food source for nectar eating birds, bee's and butterflies.

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.