Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward Ellis Morris

(3) In Tasmania, besides two species of <i>Xanthorrhoea</i> the <i>Grass-tree</i> of the mainland, the <i>Richea dracophylla</i>, R. Br., <i>N.O. Epacrideae</i>, found on Mount Wellington, near Hobart, is also known by that name, whilst the <i>Richea pandanifolia</i>, Hook., found in the South-west forests, is called the <i>Giant Grass-tree</i>. Both these are peculiar to the island.

(4) An obsolete name for <i>Cordyline australis</i>, Hook., <i>N.O. Liliaceae</i>, now more usually called <i>Cabbage- tree</i> (q.v.).

1802. D. Collins, `Account of New South Wales,' vol. ii. p. 153:

"A grass tree grows here, similar in every respect to that about Port Jackson."

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia,' p. 347:

"Yielding frequently a very weak and sour kind of grass, interspersed with a species of bulrush called grass-trees, which are universal signs of poverty.":

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia,' Vol II. c. iii. p. 54:

"The grass-tree is not found westward of the mountains."

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions,' vol. ii. p. 303:

"We approached a range of barren hills of clay slate, on which grew the grass-tree (<i>Xanthorhoea</i>) and stunted eucalypti."