Carex egmontiana

Botanical name: Carex egmontiana
Synonyms: Uncinia egmontiana, Uncinia silvestris var. squamata
Common name(s): Bastard Grass, Hook Sedge

About:
A densely tufted native sedge with fine reddish-green foliage and distinctive hooked utricles. This adaptable species occurs from coastal turf to alpine wetlands and is particularly suited to cool moist environments.

Natural habitat:
Coastal turf, tussock grassland, alpine bogs, mires, peatlands and shrublands over peaty soils.

Growing environment:
Prefers permanently moist peaty soils in cool climates and semi-shaded conditions. Tolerates a range of substrates provided adequate moisture is available.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found on Mt Egmont in the North Island and throughout much of the South and Stewart Islands, though absent from Fiordland.

Height:
250–400 mm tall

Width:
Forms dense tufted clumps

Flowering:
October – November

Fruiting:
November – August

Uses:

• Peatland restoration
• Wetland planting
• Alpine garden planting
• Native sedge collections
• Tussock grassland restoration
• Moist shaded borders

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Densely tufted perennial sedge forming compact upright clumps with slender semi-terete culms.

Foliage:
Leaves narrow and moderately rough along the margins, usually dull red or reddish-green though occasionally green. Foliage fine-textured and softly arching.

Flowers:
Slender spikes carrying distant female flowers with persistent reddish or green glumes.

Flower colours:
Green, Red/Brown

Fruit:
Grey-green to reddish-grey hooked utricles narrowing into a slender beak and elongated stalk.

Ecology:
A species of cool moist open habitats including peat bogs and alpine wetlands. The hooked utricles assist with dispersal by attaching to passing animals.

Associated habitats:
Typically found in alpine bogs, peaty shrublands, coastal turf, tussock grasslands and wet seepages.

How to grow:
Easy to cultivate from seed or division. Best grown in permanently moist soils with partial shade in warmer districts. Particularly suitable for cool-climate gardens and wetland plantings.

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

Cultural use:
Recognised as part of New Zealand’s indigenous sedge flora associated with wetlands, peatlands and alpine ecosystems.

Garden value:
A fine-textured and attractive sedge useful for alpine gardens, damp borders and wetland plantings. The reddish foliage tones and delicate spikes provide subtle year-round interest.