The Wallum Grass Tree is a trunkless, tufting plant that, in its natural habitat, grows in periodically waterlogged sites on sand in coastal areas. The leaves are blue green, and the flower stem can grow to 1.6 cm but is often smaller, particularly in young plants. Flowering from August to October, the actual flower spike (10-60 cm) is considerably smaller than the stem. Nectar birds like the flowers.
Unlike the widely distributed Forest Grass Tree, this plant has a restricted distribution, occurring only on the coast from Central NSW to S E QLD. Available in specialist native nurseries, it is slow growing but hardy, although it does require more water than the more common Forest Grass Tree.
This article is part of our Gardening with natives series.