Xanthorrhoea malacophylla

Xanthorrhoea malacophylla is a species of grasstree of the genus Xanthorrhoea. It is endemic to New South Wales, Australia. Mature plants form a single or branched trunk that ranges between 2 and 6 metres in height. The grass-like leaves, which are usually around 3 mm wide, are distinguished from other species by their softness and sponginess.[1] The flowers appear between May and September in scapes that are between 1.3 and 1.8 metres long.[2]

Xanthorrhoea malacophylla
Cultivated specimen in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Xanthorrhoeoideae
Genus: Xanthorrhoea
Species:
X. malacophylla
Binomial name
Xanthorrhoea malacophylla

The species was first formally described in 1986 based on plant material collected in 1964 from Queens Lake State Forest near the town of Kew, Australia.[3] It occurs on steep hillsides in coastal ranges between Wyong and Casino.

References

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  1. ^ "Xanthorrhoea malacophylla". Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.
  2. ^ D.J.Bedford. "New South Wales Flora Online: Xanthorrhoea malacophylla". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  3. ^ "Xanthorrhoea malacophylla". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 23 December 2011.