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Few Australian plants are as iconic as the Grass-tree, although many of us are not as familiar with its smaller sibling, Xanthorrhoea minor. Unlike the taller Xanthorrhoea glauca, the Small Grass-tree hides its branched stem underground, leaving its dense skirt of grass-like leaves disguised among the undergrowth at ground level. That is, until the tall flower spikes appear, covered in tiny, scented white flowers that attract numerous native insects and birds. Grass-trees are famously slow growing and long lived, and X. minor tells a story of resilience: it regrows after fire, and mass flowering often follows. Keen local observers will notice this in our landscape, as some individual plants along the roadside have sprouted dozens of spikes. This is a plant that rewards patience, and reminds us of the quiet strength of our native flora.
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