CYPERACEAE

Coast Swordsedge

 

over 1m 

Compact heads of brown flowers at the top of the stem, 15cm long by 6cm wide. Spikelets in dense clusters, change from pale red to black over time. 

Nut 

Robust sedge with flattened stems and sword-like leaves, 2cm wide and all in one plane. 

Break O'Day; Burnie; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Huon Valley; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Sorell; Tasman; West Coast; West Tamar 

 

Coastal sands around the State. 

 

Moderate 

 

Very difficult to grow from seed- seed is slow to germinate and may have low viability. Seed is reputed to germinate very slowly if sown in dark and moist conditions. A combined heat-smoke treatment may be worth trying, possibly with older seed. Can be propagated by division over the winter months, but plants are slow to re-establish. Useful for damp areas or around ponds. Resistant to Phythophthora cinnamomi. Its leaves are used for weaving (modern), contributing interesting colour. Flower heads are also used in dried flower arrangements. Suitable below powerlines. 

Nuts small, pale to dark brown, 2-4mm long and contained in dry seedheads. Some species retain seed on the plant for several years. Cut the whole seedhead with secateurs and allow to dry, beat against a hard surface to extract, being careful of sharp foliage. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes