Lepidosperma longitudinale
Pithy Sword-sedge
Clumping perennial sedge, spreading by short underground stems. Stems ribbed, rigid but compressible, erect, strongly convex on both sides, spongy inside, margins smooth, 5-10mm wide.
Additional information
- FamilyCyperaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size0.6-2 m x 1-3 m
- Plant groupingGrasses, Rushes & Sedges
- LeavesLeaves similar to stems but shorter and less convex. Sheaths shiny, reddish tipped, yellow-brown to grey-brown at base, stem base similar.
- Flower colourRed-brown
- Flowering timeMost of the year
- FlowersMany spikelets in a dense narrow, oblong erect to spreading spray 15-50 cm long. Leafy bract below flowers shorter than flowerhead. Nut pale to dark brown, smooth, shiny.
- Bird attractingSeeds
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist or wet soils in swampy riparian areas. Full sun, semi shade.
- Garden useUseful plant for wet areas and around ponds and dams as edges are not sharp.
- Commercially availableRarely
- Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from few local sites. More common in coastal Victoria.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 3 Russell Best, NatureShare ©; 2 M. Fagg ©, Australian National Botanic Gardens; 4-6 Marilyn Bull ©
Plant Communities