Western Australian Naturalists Club

Encouraging the study and protection of the natural environment

Glorious Grasstrees! (Xanthorrhoea) and other Flora at Star Swamp

Henderson Environmental Centre Henderson Environmental Centre End of Groat St, North Beach, Australia

Xanthorrhoea) Grass trees epitomise the Australian bush: they're beautiful, ancient, hardy, thrive in nutrient-poor soils and respond to wildfire by flowering profusely. Grasstrees are iconic plants, recognisable even to budding botanists. All 66 species are only found in Australia.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Byron Lamont, will be sharing his expert knowledge of these plants as we walk in the Star Swamp, a 96 hectare Class-A reserve It is located 15 km north of Perth and comprises four hectares of semi-permanent freshwater lake with paperbark trees and 92 hectares of Banksia, Tuart, Jarrah and Marri woodlands, and areas of low heath. The Reserve is a declared Bush Forever site that has been set aside for the purposes of conservation, passive recreation and education.  It is a remnant of the once extensive chain of wetland lakes and swamps which filled low-lying areas between ancient sand dunes.