X is for XANTHOSIA and XYLOMELUM

I wonder if you thought I'd forget about the XYZ of Aussie flowers.  I've been a bit preoccupied over the past few days (more about that later) but I reckon I'd best finish off the series so here goes.

Are you surprised I found some "X" plants?  There was always Xanthorrea (the grass tree) of course but I've mentioned that a couple of times already. I also found a couple of quite pretty flowers.

Xanthosia rotundifolia is a species of the plant family Machlinayaceae.  The informal name for this species, SOUTHERN CROSS, is derived from the common name of the constellation CRUX.  The flowers, white/cream in colour, symmetrical, and cruciform in outline, are reminiscent of the distinctive southern stars (our very own Southern Cross that graces our skies at night).  It grows as a shrub of between 0.35-0.8 metres (1.1-2.6 ft) in height and blooms January to February, April to May or July to December.  It only occurs in southwest Western Australia, in a variety of soils over granite or laterite.

 

Xylomelum angustifolium (Sandplain Woody Pear) is a tree species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to Western Australia.  A mature tree grows from 2-7  metres (6-22 ft) though trees up to 10 metres (33 ft) have been observed.  It has a smooth grey trunk and produces cream flowers at various times of the year depending on which area it is growing.  The woody fruits are picked for the cut flower industry.  It can be grown as a showy shrub in a container or as an informal hedge.

I have shown several pictures here as it is somewhat different to other flowering plants I have shown and it is one I know very little about myself although I do remember hearing the name: