Scientific Name: Oreobolus oligocephalus Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: redsheath cushionsedge

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Cyperaceae

Form Description: Tufted perennial sedge with stiff leaves, forming mounds of crowded rosettes. The rosettes sometimes decay in the centre, leaving ‘fairy rings’.

Height (m): 0.025 – 0.05

Flowers: Spikes on the end of the flowering stems.

Fruit: Nut – dark brown, 1.5mm long.

Municipality
Central HighlandsDerwent ValleyHuon ValleyKentishMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsWest Coast
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationSedgeland and Wetland
Habitat Notes

On mountains at about 1200m altitude on poorly drained, exposed ridges, and in bogs at lower altitudes on the west coast, Central Highlands, Ben Lomond and the south-west.

General Notes

Require high altitude, boggy sites to grow.

Propagation Calendar

  • 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
Impractical Propagation material is too difficult to collect or conditions for propagation or cultivation are too specialized.

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Propagated from seed.

Seed Treatment Method

Cold Some species require exposure to cold before they germinate. These species are best sown in early winter and left to germinate in a shade house. , 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.

Seed Treatment Notes

Try using bog method. Seed may benefit from stratification at below 4°C for 3-6 weeks.

Cutting & Division Information

Propagated by division.