Botanical name:

Carex lambertiana

Common name(s):

Forest sedge

About:

This species is similar to Carex dissita but is a larger and more robust plant. The bright yellow and green leaves grow in large clumps up to 60cm high with dark reddish brown flowering stems. Because this Carex likes semi shade and moist soil it's well suited to forests, scrub, swamps and wetlands.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane. Usually in relatively open but shaded sites within tall forest or in riparian forests along riversides and on river terraces. Sometimes establishes in parks within urban areas.

Growing environment:

Sun, Shade, Wetland, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North and South Islands. In the North Island abundant from Te Paki to about the southern Waikato, otherwise uncommon. In the South Island known from Nelson, Marlborough and northern Canterbury.

Height: 80cm

Flowering:

September - December

Fruiting:

Throughout the year

Uses:

Riparian plantings & Pioneer Plantings.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and by the division of established plants. A far superior species to the widely cultivated C. dissita, which deserves to be more widely grown. It does best in partial shade, within a rich, free draining soil.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. Sow seed direct & keep moist until germination is complete.