Forest Sedge

Botanical name: Carex solandri
Synonyms: Carex dissita var. solandri
Common name(s): Forest sedge, Solander’s sedge

About:
A graceful woodland sedge forming dense yellow-green tussocks with arching foliage and distinctive nodding dark seed spikes. Often dominant beneath forest canopies and along riversides, it is one of New Zealand’s most attractive shade-loving sedges and is widely used in revegetation and native garden plantings.

Natural habitat:
Riparian forest, alluvial terraces, riversides, wet seepages, slip scars and damp forest margins from coastal to montane environments.

Growing environment:
Prefers permanently damp, fertile soils in partial to full shade. Once established it will tolerate dry periods and increased sun exposure, though it performs best in sheltered woodland conditions.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands.

Height:
100 mm – 1 m tall

Width:
Typically forms clumps around 500 mm wide.

Flowering:
August – December

Fruiting:
October – May

Uses:

• Woodland restoration
• Riparian planting
• Native forest gardens
• Shade gardens
• Revegetation projects
• Stream and pond margins
• Mass planting beneath trees

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Dense tuft-forming sedge with softly arching foliage and drooping flowering stems.

Leaves:
Yellow-green to green, narrow, double-folded and slightly drooping. Basal sheaths are red-brown, red-purple or almost black.

Flowers:
Produces distant nodding spikes on long thread-like stalks. Female spikes are typically dark brown to almost black and hang gracefully beneath the foliage.

Fruit:
Forms glossy dark red-brown to almost black utricles that contrast strongly against the foliage. Seeds are enclosed within inflated sacs adapted for dispersal.

Ecology:
A characteristic sedge of damp forest ecosystems where it often dominates alluvial terraces and stream margins. Provides habitat and cover for forest invertebrates while helping stabilise moist soils.

Associated habitats:
Riparian forest, alluvial terraces, forest margins, seepages, slip scars, stream banks and damp woodland clearings.

How to grow:
Plant in moist, fertile soil in partial shade or full shade. Ideal beneath trees, beside streams or around ponds. Water regularly during establishment. Mature plants tolerate occasional dry spells and more sun than expected.

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

Cultural use:
Named in honour of the naturalist Daniel Solander, who accompanied Joseph Banks during the first scientific exploration of New Zealand’s flora.

Garden value:
A highly ornamental native sedge valued for its graceful habit, shade tolerance and attractive dark seed heads. Excellent for woodland gardens, stream edges and naturalistic native plantings where year-round texture is desired.