Botanical name:

Eleocharis sphacelata

Common name(s):

Kutakuta, spikes of doom, bamboo spike sedge, tall spike sedge

About:

Kutakuta is a tall grass-like plant that is typically found in shallow, freshwater habitats such as lakes, ponds, and marshes. It forms clumps of densely packed, bright-green or yellow-green stems, known as culms, that rise prominently from woody underground stems called rhizomes. The stems can emerge to a height of as much as 1.5 m above the water surface, creating a lush appearance in its environment, while the total length of these stems may reach an impressive maximum of around 3 meters.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to lower montane (but mainly in lowland areas). Preferring sunny situations where it usually grows in still deep water such as along lake and pond margins often amongst Raupo (Typha orientalis) & Baumea articulata. Rarely bordering slowly flowing streams and rivers, or in burn pools and damp depressions within peat bogs.

Growing environment:

Sun, Salt, Wetland & Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Kutakuta is found throughout the North Island, but is less common south of Lake Taupo. It occurs in south Marlborough, Nelson, Westland, Fiordland, Southland, and Stewart Island, and is very rare in Canterbury. Also endemic to Australia.

Height: 2m

Flowering:

August – December with a white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

November - May

Uses:

Riparian plantings & Wetlands.

How to grow:

Can be tricky. Fresh seed germinates best if allowed to float on water overlying potting mix, gradually reduce the water level so that the germinating plants can naturally “float” on to the underlying soil. Plants do best if their rootstock is submerged.