grass tree

noun

1. any Australian plant of the genus Xanthorrhoea, of the lily family, having a stout, woody stem bearing a tuft of long grasslike leaves and a dense flower spike.

grass tree

noun

1. Also calledblack boyyaccayacka any plant of the Australian genus Xanthorrhoea, having a woody stem, stiff grasslike leaves, and a spike of small white flowers: family Xanthorrhoeaceae . Some species produce fragrant resins See also acaroid gum
2. any of several similar Australasian plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of grass tree¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

With her artist’s eye, she points out the Australian grass trees — Xanthorrhoea — tall clumps of grass with huge white flower plumes in spring that dry into brown wavy spikes.

From Los Angeles Times

"It is odd how they can cut down so many grass trees without tools," said Harry.

From Project Gutenberg

A fire could always be lighted with two grass trees, a small fork, and a bit of dry grass.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, not far off, would be found the grass tree, from the summit of which long pendants projected like enormous blades of grass.

From Project Gutenberg

Where the other sticks were from grass trees this was something else.

From Project Gutenberg