Scientific Name: Carex fascicularis
Common Name: tassel sedge
Family Classification (Clade): Monocots
Family: Cyperaceae
Form Description: Large tufted sedge with thick, felted roots, and drooping stalked heads.
Height (m): 0.5 – 1
Flowers: Clustered into long drooping heads, the lower heads are female. Upper heads, tan, are male.
Fruit: Nut
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Grows along rivers and open swampy ground. Tolerates temporary inundation.
Site Tolerance
Moist, Shady, Waterlogged
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
Valuable in preventing creek bank erosion (at the bank/water interface) as the fibrous roots stabilise the soil. Also slows water flow in drainage lines. Frog habitat: provides protection for frogs and habitat for various insects. Rarely eaten by stock. May provide a harbour for rabbits. Koori (mainland) use: Leaves were used for weaving baskets and similar implements.
Propagation Calendar
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Flowering Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Seed Collecting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Sowing Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Cutting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Cut off seed heads when they become dry and turn a golden brown. Place stalks upside down in large bags. Dry and rub heads to extract seed. Collection times vary.
Seed Treatment Method
Bog Method The seeds of many wetland species need to be kept wet to germinate. Punch a hole in the side of a recycled polyfoam box so that it holds water to the required depth. Sit the tubes in the box to germinate. Once germinated, punch holes in the bottom of the box to allow drainage.
Cutting & Division Information
Propagates by division.