Xanthorrhoeaceae Genus Images: Kingia australis Xanthorrhoea sp.

Genera : 8 -9 Species: 55 - 66

Distribution: Limited to Australia, New Caledonia, New Guinea and New Zealand.

Economic Uses: The resinor gum used as a lacquer and the stems locally made into bowls and containers.

Defining Features of Interest: The family is often represented in xeric enviroments and have black stems in areas frequented by fire. In one genus, the plants grow to a considerable height and are known as 'grass trees' because the dried leaf bases are persistent and drape over the thick rhizome. In general, the family has features in common with the Agavaceae, but has flowers that are small and papery.

Fossil Evidence: No known fossil record.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Actinomorphic and perfect or unisexual/dioecious. Inflorescence a head or long panicle or spike or small, dry and papery flowers. Hypogynous.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit a loculicidal capsule or nut. Seeds with endosperm present. Placentation is basal or basal/axile.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as perennial herbs or shrubs arising from a thick caudex or rhizome. Leaves are simple, long, linear and alternate. Sheathing leaf bases often persist after blade is gone. Blades may be leathery to prickly.