Square-Leaved Grass Tree or Black Boy

(Xanthorroea johnsonii)

This is one of the most well known plants in the Australian bush and to Aboriginal people it is also one of the most useful. On the top of this tree there grows a long stem which is nearly always straight.  This stem is used as a shaft for fishing spears and the practice spears used by the young boys of our tribes.

The long thin leaves of this tree, once pulled out of the main stem, have a white part at the base which can be eaten.

Also, hidden deep in the ground inside the main roots is a dark red resin that is used as a stain or a glue.

To make the glue, the leaves and a small amount of beeswax and resin were burnt or cooked together.  Once made, the glue was used to hold spear heads in place, bind up fire stick covers and a heap of other things including holding feathers in place on dancing instruments.