Botanical name:

Empodisma minus

Common name(s):

Wire rush, lesser wire rush

About:

A common and widely distributed rush that can be found thriving in wet, soft, peaty vegetation. This species typically exhibits a height range that varies, measuring approximately 10-20 mm tall in compact cushion plants, while reaching impressive heights of up to 1 m tall in expansive lowland sedge land and heath areas. The plant features glossy green, sinuous, and wiry stems, which are often branched, displaying a unique and distinctive structure. The leaves are noticeably reduced and take the form of sheathing scales that are more or less uniformly distributed along the length of the stems. Additionally, the leaves are adorned with long, woolly white hairs found in the axils, which contribute to the plant's overall texture and appearance.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to alpine (up to 1350m). The dominant peat-forming species of low moor and high moor (raised bogs), oligotrophic, ombrotrophic wetland systems in New Zealand (montane to alpine in the North Island). Tolerates extremely acidic conditions, up to pH 2.5.

Growing environment:

Drought, Sun, Salt, Wetland, Wind, Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South and Stewart Islands. From the Central Volcanic Plateau south in upland areas. Throughout the South Island but scarce in Marlborough and north Canterbury. Also Australia.

Height: 1m

Flowering:

August – December with a yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

November - March

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Hedging, Riparian plantings, Forests, Pioneer Plantings & Shelter belts, timber

How to grow:

Easily grown from seed. Prefers an open, permanently damp, acidic soil but can be grown in dry soils as well. Not often cultivated.

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