Sand Sedge

Botanical name: Carex pumila
Synonyms: Carex littorea, Carex pumila subsp. littorea
Common name(s): Sand sedge, Strand sedge, Blue dune sedge

About:
A distinctive blue-green coastal sedge that spreads by long creeping rhizomes to form extensive colonies across dunes and sandy shorelines. One of New Zealand’s most important native sand-binding plants, it plays a vital role in stabilising mobile dunes and protecting coastal ecosystems from erosion.

Natural habitat:
Mobile sand dunes, sand flats, dune slacks, coastal river margins, lagoons and sandy coastal habitats.

Growing environment:
Thrives in full sun and free-draining sandy soils. Highly tolerant of drought, frost, wind, salt spray and nutrient-poor conditions. Performs best in exposed coastal situations.

Endemic distribution:
Indigenous to New Zealand, occurring throughout the North, South and Chatham Islands. Also found in Australia, Lord Howe Island, Chile, China, Japan and Korea.

Height:
50–400 mm tall

Width:
Spreads extensively by creeping rhizomes, forming colonies several metres wide.

Flowering:
October – December

Fruiting:
December – June

Uses:

• Sand dune stabilisation
• Coastal restoration
• Erosion control
• Coastal landscaping
• Ground cover
• Native gardens
• Revegetation projects
• Roadside coastal plantings

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A rhizomatous sedge forming dense blue-green tufts connected by long wiry underground stems that allow it to spread through loose sand.

Leaves:
Deep blue-green to glaucous, narrow, rigid and channelled leaves that taper to a fine point. Leaves are often longer than the flowering stems.

Flowers:
Produces clusters of male and female spikes, with the terminal male spike often held above the female spikes.

Fruit:
Forms distinctive corky light-brown utricles which aid dispersal by wind and water. These buoyant fruits are an important adaptation to coastal environments.

Ecology:
One of New Zealand’s most effective native sand binders. Its extensive rhizome network stabilises mobile dunes, reduces erosion and creates conditions that allow other coastal plants to establish. Seeds and fruits are dispersed by wind and water.

Associated habitats:
Foredunes, back dunes, dune slacks, sandy river mouths, coastal lagoons, estuarine margins and open coastal sandfields.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun in free-draining sandy or gravelly soils. Water during establishment but avoid prolonged wet conditions. Once established it requires little maintenance and tolerates severe coastal exposure.

Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed or by division of established plants and rhizome sections.

Cultural use:
Part of New Zealand’s indigenous coastal flora and an important species in traditional dune ecosystems that protect shorelines from erosion and storm damage.

Garden value:
An outstanding native sedge for coastal gardens, dry landscapes and restoration projects. Its striking blue-green foliage, exceptional hardiness and ability to stabilise sandy soils make it one of the most valuable native plants for coastal environments.