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Empodisma minus

Common Name: Spreading Rope-rush
Synonym:
Family: Restionaceae
Size: stems 0.5m x 2m
Description: Dense matted perennial herb with bright green curved branches spreading from slender underground stems to form a tangled mass. Male and female flowers on separate plants.
Leaves: Reduced to greenish scales or sheathing bracts 3-10mm long, woolly hairs near tip.
Flowering: Stalkless spikelets 4-8mm long along stems, floral bracts slightly longer than spikelets, similar to leaf bracts; male spikelets solitary or paired, 1-many-flowered; female, solitary, one-flowered in leaf axils towards ends of stems.
Flower Colour: Brown
Flowering Time: September to March
Growing Conditions: Moist to wet soils in swampy heathlands, bogs and wet creek banks. Tolerates periods of drought and waterlogging. Full sun, semi shade.
Garden Use: An interesting plant which will become a tangled groundcover in permanently moist areas.
Related Species:
Plant Communities: 15, 22, 29, 30, 33, 36
Conservation Status: Locally common within its preferred growing conditions
Aboriginal Use:
Commercially available: Australian plant & indigenous nurseries
Bird Attracting: No
Butterfly Attracting: No
Frog Habitat: Yes
Photographer: Peter Kinchington ©
Photo montage - default
Last Updated: 30/06/2010
Yarra Ranges Shire Council © 2009
P O Box 105, Anderson Street, Lilydale, VIC 3140
Tel: 1300 368 333 Fax: 9735 4249
mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au