Botanical name:

Bolboschoenus caldwellii

Common name(s):

Purua grass, Caldwell’s clubrush

About:

A perennial native rush characterised by its creeping rhizomes serves as an effective bank stabiliser for riverbanks and estuarine areas that experience high salinity levels. This plant has significant cultural and nutritional importance, as Indigenous peoples of Australia traditionally roasted and ground the roots for food, utilising its resources in various ways within their diets.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to lowland in saltmarshes and other poorly drained saline areas. Sometimes also invades pasture abutting tidal streams and estuaries.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Salt, Wetland, Wind & Coastal tolerant

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North Island from the Kaipara Harbour south, and mainly easterly. In the South Island widespread from Nelson to Otago, again mainly eastern. Also found in Australia.

Height: 1.2m

Flowering:

October – January with a brown coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

December - May

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Riparian plantings & Wetlands

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and rooted pieces. Will grow in almost any soil but prefers a sunny, damp soil. Ideal as a pond plant or for planting along tidal streams.

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