Chaffy saw-sedge

Plant growth form and habit: Perrenial leafy tussock. Rough, sharp edged leaves.

Natural distribution: Coastal areas in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

Indigenous to greater Melbourne: Yes

Height category: 0.5-1m

Dimensions (height and width): 0.6-1.2 m x 0.5 m

Landscape features: Accent plant

Flowering: Erect pale brown panicles, spring to summer.

Typical growth rate: Slow

Light: Full sun

Drought: Moderately good

Waterlogging: Very good

Maintenance and cultivation notes: Difficult to access but a very useful habitat and accent plant. Can be pruned hard to encourage new growth but may be slow to recover and tolerates saline or brackish conditions along coastal and riverine margins.

Butterfly larval host plants: Larval for plant for barred skipper (Dispar compacta), golden-haired sedge-skipper (Hesperilla chrysotricha), varied sedge skipper (Hesperilla donnysa) and yellow sedge-skipper (Hesperilla flavescens).

Birds: Provides food for larvae eating birds.

Benefits: Butterfly (caterpillar) host, Birds (food source)

Availability: Westgate Biodiversity Bili Nursery (availability as of April 2020)

Typical horticultural uses: Bush garden