X is for Xanthorrhoea – part of more than 60 grass trees endemic to Australia. While not all Australians may be able to correctly name the Xanthorrhoea, chances are most have seen one when out walking in coastal heaths or forests. Xanthorrhoea is a remarkable, perennial species that can live for up to 450 years! One of the most incredible qualities of Xanthorrhoea is its ability to bounce back from bushfire. Not only can it survive, it often responds by flowering profusely. By retaining its dead leaves around its trunk, the Xanthorrhoea defends itself using thermal insulation, protecting the plant’s inner stem.