Doryanthus palmerii

Hardy, low maintenance plant with grey-green long ribbed sword-like leaves which form in rosettes. The flowering stalk can grow to five metres tall. Flowers are red or reddish-orange in spring. Roasted Doryanthes flower spikes were used as a food source for Indigenous Australians and the roots were mashed into a pulp and made into cakes. Occurs naturally in the McPherson Ranges of southeastern Queensland. They are xerophytes, meaning that they have adapted to dry conditions. It is suited to most soil types.