Botanical name:

Carex forsteri

Common name(s):

Forster’s sedge

About:

C. forsteri is a resilient sedge native to New Zealand that is typically found thriving in a range of environments from coastal regions to montane areas. It is generally found inhabiting dense forests, particularly in high rainfall areas, where it grows in wet seepages, benefiting from the moisture-rich conditions that these unique habitats provide.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane (infrequently subalpine). Usually in dense forest within high rainfall areas where it grows in wet seepages, depressions and along stream banks. A common species of karst country where it is often very conspicuous around sinkholes (tomo) and at cave entrances. Occasionally found around seepages in tall tussock grassland

Growing environment:

Frost, Shade, Wind, Coastal, Wetland & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North and South Islands. In the North Island common south of Auckland. In the South Island common in Marlborough Sounds and on Banks Peninsula, otherwise sporadic in its occurrences and not recorded at all from Westland or Fiordland.

Height: 90cm

Flowering:

September – November

Fruiting:

October – May

Uses:

Riparian Plantings, Forests & Wetlands

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and by the division of established plants. Excellent for a permanently damp situation in a shaded site where it does best planted within a rich soil.

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