Carex cockayneana

Botanical name: Carex cockayneana
Synonyms: Carex cinnamomea, Carex forsteri var. cockayniana
Common name(s): Cockayne’s sedge

About:
A graceful montane to subalpine sedge with arching foliage and drooping flower spikes. This endemic species is commonly associated with damp forest margins, seepages and shaded alpine stream environments.

Natural habitat:
Montane forest streamsides, subalpine scrub, seepages, springs, tarn margins and damp tussock grasslands.

Growing environment:
Prefers permanently damp soils in cool shaded to semi-shaded positions but tolerates sun and occasional dry conditions once established.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Uncommon near Wellington in the North Island and scattered mainly through western parts of the South Island.

Height:
15–60 cm tall

Width:
40–80 cm wide

Flowering:
October – December

Fruiting:
November – May

Uses:

• Streamside planting
• Wetland and seepage restoration
• Shaded native gardens
• Subalpine and woodland planting
• Erosion control beside waterways

Appearance:
Growth habit:
Tufted sedge with arching to drooping foliage and slender stems arising from dark basal sheaths.

Leaves:
Long folded green leaves with sharply roughened margins toward the tips.

Flowers:
Red-brown to light brown spikes held on fine drooping stalks, with separate male and female flowers.

Fruit:
Yellow-brown utricles containing dark brown nuts dispersed by wind and animals.

Ecology:
Occurs naturally in cool damp alpine and montane habitats where it stabilises wet soils and provides habitat within seepage and stream ecosystems.

Associated habitats:
Found with montane forest species, alpine shrubs, tussock grasslands and wetland sedges around springs and tarns.

How to grow:
Best planted in moist shaded positions with reliable year-round moisture. Suitable for stream margins, woodland gardens and cool damp sites.

Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed or by division of established clumps.

Cultural use:
Used in native habitat restoration and naturalistic alpine and woodland plantings.

Garden value:
A refined native sedge valued for its soft arching foliage and elegant drooping flower spikes, especially effective beside water features and shaded pathways.