CYPERACEAE

Variable Swordsedge

 

1m 

In panicles, 4-25cm long. 

Nut 

Variable perennial sedge with long, narrow, slightly curved leaves, uo to 70cm long. 

Break O'Day; Brighton; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Tamar 

 

Heaths, shrubberies and open woodland, stream edges, and moist or dryish sites from sea level to 750m altitude. 

 

 

 

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. Resistant to Phythophthora cinnamomi. Suitable below powerlines. 

Nuts small, 3mm long, changing from pale yellowish-green to pale brown when ripe, 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. 

Smoke 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes