Family
Cyperaceae

Distribution
Throughout the North Island, and Nelson and Westland in the South Island. Found in swamps, scrub or lake margins.

Description
A dense far-spreading sedge growing to 1.5 m high by 5 m or more wide. The leaves are rich dark green, erect, cylindrical, 2 - 3 mm wide, sharply pointed at the tips, collapsing on the ground at the end of summer or autumn. The flower head is a panicle: {Any loose, diversely branching flower cluster} which is held erect and high amongst the foliage, 4 - 20 cm long by 2.5 - 3.5 cm wide, dark brown or black. Flower head entire. The seeds are round white/grey with longitudinal wrinkles.

Cultivation
Requires full sun or dappled light. Best in a sheltered area. Tolerates wet, dry or boggy conditions, responds well to acidic soils and poor conditions. Very attractive in the garden but the garden needs to be big and well-maintained. It has excellent potential as a textural plant in landscaping. This plant is usually used in revegetation planting.