Botanical name:

Juncus pallidus

Common name(s):

Giant Rush, Wiwi, leafless rush

About:

A native rush found in New Zealand, this plant features ridged, straw-like stems that exhibit a pale grey-green colour. It is an excellent choice for mass planting in damp areas, thriving particularly well in environments such as swamps, waterways, and wetlands, where it can contribute to the ecological balance and beauty of the landscape.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to lowland. Often in pastures where it can be as major weed. Usually in damp swampy hollows, on the margins of wetlands and lakes, in open shrub-land on damp ground, or near salt-marshes in places that can be flooded by King tides.

Growing environment:

Sun, Wetland, Coastal & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South, and Stewart Islands. Also present in Australia and naturalised on Norfolk, Lord Howe and the Chatham Islands.

Height: 2m

Flowering: 

October – January with a brown or green 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. An attractive, very robust species with beautiful blue-grey foliage. This species is sometimes a pasture weed.

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