Assignment/exercise
USC Plant Profile - Xanthorrhoeaceae, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii
University of the Sunshine Coast
2021
Appears in UniSC Plant Profiles
Abstract
The Xanthorrhoea johnsonii is a slender plant in the Xanthorrhoeaceae family. The plant thrives in drier or coastal areas and usually in the understorey of habitats (Native Plants Queensland (NPQ) 2021) and survives in a lot of environments affected by droughts or fires (Genomics for Australian Plants 2020). This species can be found on the coast and inland throughout Queensland and New South Wales (NPQ 2021). The johnsonii is a tall plant up to 4 m and is usually found with one trunk and no branches (Leiper et al. 2017). The base of the trunk is comprised of old leaves that have been glued by the trees resin (Genomics for Australian Plants 2020). The leaves are rhombic, stringy and thin and are found to grow at the top of the trunk (Leiper et al. 2017). On the top of the wooden extension the flower along with the seed capsules are found (NPQ 2021). The flowers observed are a white or light colour and bloom from August to October (NPQ 2021). The seeds are found in the spikey capsule underneath the flower growth and are black (NPQ 2021). There can be up to 10,000 seeds found on this capsule (Bush Heritage Australia (BHA) 2020). The roots of this species are contractile and can enlarge the meristem to allow for more growth for regeneration (Australian National Botanic Gardens 2016). The Xanthorrhoea has its name because of the yellow flowing resin in the trunk (BHA 2020). The older leaves of this plant are strong and malleable and are used in floral designs because of their flexibility (Atlas of Living Australia n.d.). Some Indigenous uses of the plant include using the resin as glue and using the flower spike as a spear or fire starter stick (BHA 2020).
Details
- Title
- USC Plant Profile - Xanthorrhoeaceae, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii
- Authors
- Patrick Adams (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Location
- Latitude: -26.717 Longitude: 153.064; USC Sippy Downs campus, behind E block.
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date collected
- 13-Apr-2021
- Date published
- 2021
- Copyright note
- © The Author. Reproduced with permission.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99706795402621
- Output Type
- Assignment/exercise; Plant Profile Sheet
- Teaching and Learning
- ENS221; Plant Diversity and Ecology
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