Botanical name:

Carex trifida

Common name(s):

Mutton Bird Sedge, Tataka

About:

A robust tussock features wide, slightly arching, ribbed green leaves that display striking bluish-green undersides, complemented by shaggy brown seed spikes. This plant offers versatile uses across different settings and conditions, making it adaptable and resilient. As a hardy plant, it is easy to grow, requiring minimal maintenance, which makes it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners alike.

Natural habitat:

A strictly coastal tussock, where it often is associated with seal haul outs and sea bird nesting grounds, especially as the common name suggests - mutton birds. Usually located in open sites, very rarely found in canopy gaps within coastal forest.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Drought, Shade, Salt, Wetland, Wind, Coastal, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s, southern South Island, Stephens, Stewart, Chatham, Snares, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell Islands. Also present on Macquarie Island, in southern South America and the Falkland Islands.

Height: 1m

Flowering:

August - December

Fruiting:

November - June

Uses:

Riparian plantings & Pioneer Plantings

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and by the division of established plants. Often naturalises in gardens. Prefers full sun and a damp, well manured, slightly acidic soil but will grow in almost any conditions except deep shade. A beautiful and popular sedge, widely grown in New Zealand.

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