Botanical name:

Ficinia nodosa  (Isolepis / Scirpus nodosa)  

Common name(s):

Wiwi, knobby club rush, ethel sedge

About:

Ficinia Nodosa is a type of rush characterised by a creeping rhizome and fine foliage that can reach heights of approximately 70 cm tall. Although this plant is not often considered to possess significant ornamental value, it serves an important role in the revegetation and restoration of coastal wetland areas. These hardy and resilient plants will thrive in a variety of conditions, growing almost anywhere as long as they receive adequate sunlight throughout the day.

Natural habitat: 

Mostly coastal but occasionally extending into montane area up to 700m. Found in a wide range of habitats but favouring open situations - commonly on sand, especially sand dunes, sandy beaches and at the back of estuaries. Sometimes colonising sandstone, limestone of volcanic rock outcrops in lowland forest. Rarely found in tussock grassland.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Drought, Salt, Wetland, Wind, Coastal, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Kermadec, Three Kings, North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands of New Zealand. Also widespread in the Southern Hemisphere.

Height: 1m

Flowering:  

September – December with a white coloured flower/s. 

Fruiting:

November - May

Uses: 

Riparian plantings & Pioneer Plantings 

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and by the division of whole plants. Does best when planted in a free draining soil in a sunny site. Ideal in coastal sites but remarkably cold tolerant.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though