Botanical name:

Carex uncinata (Uncinia uncinata)

Common name(s):

Bastard grass, hook sedge, kamu, matau-a-maui

About:

sA native New Zealand sedge that creates dense clusters of short, arching foliage in vibrant shades of orange/red or green. The colour is most pronounced on new growth during late spring. These plants have a slow growth rate and are best displayed in groups, making an attractive leafy ground cover in sunny borders. They can thrive in various conditions, demonstrating hardiness and ease of care.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane (up to 1000m). Widespread and common in most indigenous habitats from dense forest to open shrub-land. Rarely colonising the margins of wetlands. Sometimes found as an urban weed in hedgerows, along river banks or in parks.

Growing environment:

Frost, sun, drought, shade & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

North, South, Stewart, Chatham and Auckland Islands of New Zealand. Also in the Hawaiian Islands.

Height: 60cm

Flowering:

August – December

Fruiting:

Throughout the year

Uses:

Forests.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and by the division of established plants (though these may then take a while to settle). In the southern part of its range C. uncinata plants are often dark wine-red, it is this form which is erroneosuly sold as Uncinia rubra in the horticultural trade.

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