Perth Branch Monthly Meeting – “Glorious Grasstrees” presented by Byron Lamont

This lecture will answer the following: What is their growth form and when do grasstrees grow? How do grasstrees survive summer drought? How fast do grasstrees grow? How do grasstrees respond to fire? When did they evolve? What causes burnt grasstrees to flower? What can the ageing methods tell us about the fire history of the vegetation? How mportant are grasstrees for animals (including humans)? How is Kingia different from Xanthorrhoea? The talk will be sprinkled with cartoons and personal accounts.

The largest grasstree ever recorded: 7.3 m tall, 6.3 m wide assuming man is 1.75 m tall, Myanup, Boyup Brook, 1910 (Battye library, courtesy Helen Hack) – Byron will tell you why it is unlikely to still be standing