Biology and Ecology
Xanthorrhoeaceae are easily recognisable, with a dense tuft of long narrow leaves terminating in a stout woody spike. The spike contains a dense inflorescence with small flowers and capsular fruits. The spike can reach 3m or more, a height which would help seed dispersal. The endosperm of the seed is thick walled, a possible evolutionary development due to Australia’s dry climate.
Xanthorrhoeaceae have sympodial growth, where inflorescences put a kink in the trunk. This occurs when a new growth tip is slightly offset from the trunk’s central axis. This is otherwise known as apical displacement. Sympodial growth occurs in most monocots Xanthorrhoeaceae has a secondary thickening meristem, which is one of the identifying characteristics unique to Asparagales
The ovary is secondarily superior, which appears to be related to infra-locular septal nectaries, although the position of the ovary is a flexible characteristic in the Asparagales
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