Hypolaena fastigiata
tassel rope-rush
Overview
Hypolaena fastigiata is an evergreen, rush-like perennial in the southern restio family, forming spreading clumps 1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm) tall from creeping underground rhizomes. The slender, wiry stems are dark green and cylindrical, carrying out photosynthesis in place of leaves, which are reduced to brown sheaths at the nodes. Plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate individuals. Flowers are grouped into small tassel-like clusters at the stem tips, brown to straw-coloured, opening in spring. Female plants produce small nut-like fruit after flowering. The clumps spread slowly outward by rhizome to form open colonies. It grows in sandy, seasonally wet ground and tolerates periodic inundation as well as dry summer surfaces. Foliage is hardy to about 25°F (-4°C). Growth is slow, and established clumps persist for many years.
Native Range
Native to southern and eastern Australia, including Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales. Grows in heathland, sedgeland, and swamp margins on sandy and peaty soils that are seasonally wet, from near sea level to about 2,000 feet (600 m).Suggested Uses
Used in bog gardens, pond margins, and sandy seasonally wet sites, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. Suited to native and rain-garden plantings where soils stay moist in winter. Grows in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L) kept standing in a saucer of water during the growing season.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 3'
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers in spring, mainly September to November in its native range. The tassel-like clusters are brown to straw-coloured and wind-pollinated, with little visual presence. Female plants set small nut-like fruit over the following weeks.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
brown to strawFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-9 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade in sandy or peaty soil that stays moist through winter and spring. Water regularly while establishing and during dry spells; established clumps tolerate seasonal flooding and short summer dry periods. Performs poorly in dry, free-draining ground that never holds moisture. It spreads slowly by rhizome and can be divided in cool weather. Few pests affect it. Clumps persist for many years with little intervention.Pruning
Cut old or untidy stems to ground level in late winter to make way for fresh growth. The clumps tolerate complete cutting back, regrowing from the rhizome. Routine trimming is otherwise not needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons