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

The 'black boy,' as the grass-tree is called in the west, is often weird, and is essentially Australian.

From Project Gutenberg

Look at the picture again and notice the odd plants near the brome-grass tree.

From Project Gutenberg

The Australian blacks use the flower-stem of the grass-tree, which is of a tough pithy nature, and about one inch in diameter.

From Project Gutenberg

Hard wood spear, grass-tree end, barbed with flint, used with the throwing-stick for war.

From Project Gutenberg

Some grass-tree country was also passed, covered with quartz pebbles, white, or colored with oxide of iron.

From Project Gutenberg