xanthorrhoea
xanthorrhoea Lexical Profile
• noun
Australian A slow-growing, perennial Australian plant of the genus Xanthorrhoea, commonly known as a grass tree, characterized by a thick, often fire-blackened trunk, a dense crown of long grass-like leaves, and a tall flowering spike.
"After the intense bushfire swept through the outback, the hardy xanthorrhoea was among the first plants to sprout green shoots."
Australian A yellow or red aromatic resin exuded by grass trees, historically utilized in the production of varnishes, lacquers, and natural adhesives.
"Indigenous Australians traditionally used heated xanthorrhoea as a strong resin to attach stone spearheads to wooden shafts."
• Rhymes for xanthorrhoea
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Greek words 'xanthos' (yellow) and 'rhoia' (flow), referring to the yellow resin that exudes from the stems of certain plant species in this genus.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.