Mutton Bird Sedge

Botanical name:Carex trifida
Synonyms:Carex rekohu
Common name(s): Mutton Bird Sedge, Tātaka

About:
One of New Zealand’s largest and most impressive native sedges, forming bold architectural tussocks with broad blue-green foliage and striking brown flower spikes. This robust coastal species is closely associated with seabird colonies and is widely grown as an ornamental feature plant.

Natural habitat:
Open coastal habitats, seabird breeding grounds, seal haul-outs, coastal headlands and exposed coastal grasslands.

Growing environment:
Thrives in full sun and moist, fertile, slightly acidic soils. Adaptable to a wide range of conditions including coastal exposure, wind and occasional drought, but dislikes deep shade.

Endemic distribution:
Indigenous to New Zealand, occurring in the southern South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Chatham Islands, Stephens Island/Takapourewa, Snares Islands/Tini Heke, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku. Also found on Macquarie Island, the Falkland Islands and southern South America.

Height:
150 mm – 1 m tall

Width:
Forms dense tussocks up to 1 m in diameter.

Flowering:
August – December

Fruiting:
November – June

Uses:

• Coastal restoration
• Seabird habitat restoration
• Feature planting
• Wetland margins
• Native landscaping
• Shelter planting
• Erosion control
• Large garden specimens

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Large compact tussock-forming sedge with a bold upright form and dense foliage.

Leaves:
Broad light green to glaucous blue-green leaves, 6–15 mm wide, soft and arching with slightly rough margins.

Flowers:
Produces sturdy brown flower spikes arranged along erect stems. Male spikes occur near the top of the inflorescence, with female spikes below.

Fruit:
Forms straw-coloured to light brown utricles with prominent veins and dark brown seeds enclosed within.

Ecology:
A characteristic species of southern coastal ecosystems where it is closely associated with seabird nesting grounds, particularly those used by muttonbirds. The large tussocks provide shelter for wildlife and help stabilise exposed coastal soils.

Associated habitats:
Coastal grasslands, seabird colonies, seal haul-outs, coastal herbfields, headlands, cliff tops and open coastal scrub.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun in moist, fertile soil. Performs best with regular moisture but tolerates a wide range of conditions once established. Suitable for coastal gardens and large landscape plantings where space allows for its substantial size.

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

Cultural use:
Known as Tātaka and associated with traditional coastal landscapes where seabirds were abundant. Its presence remains closely linked with important seabird breeding habitats.

Garden value:
A magnificent architectural sedge valued for its bold form, broad glaucous foliage and impressive size. Excellent as a specimen plant, wetland feature or focal point in coastal and native landscapes.