Lomandra hystrix
green mat-rush
Overview
Lomandra hystrix is an evergreen, clump-forming perennial with arching strap-like leaves reaching 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) long and about 0.4 inch (8-12 mm) wide, glossy green with finely toothed tips. It forms dense tufts 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) wide. Flower spikes emerge from the clump in spring, 1.6-3.3 feet (0.5-1 m) long, bearing tight clusters of small cream to yellow flowers among sharp, spine-tipped bracts; male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The flowers are fragrant, with the scent strongest on warm mornings. The plant tolerates seasonal flooding and grows along stream banks, where its fibrous roots bind soil on slopes and banks. Foliage stays green year-round in frost-free climates, though leaf tips may brown in extended drought or hard frost. Older clumps accumulate dead leaf bases at the center and benefit from division.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia along the coast and ranges of New South Wales and Queensland. It grows beside creeks, in damp forest, and on floodplains in moist sandy to clay soils, from near sea level to 2,600 feet (800 m).Suggested Uses
Planted along watercourses, in rain gardens, and on slopes for erosion control at 2.5-3 feet (0.75-0.9 m) spacing. It is used in mass plantings and as a border edge. The sharp leaf tips make it unsuited to high-traffic path edges.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers in spring, September through November in the native range, sometimes extending into summer. Male plants bear more conspicuous, fragrant flower spikes than female plants. The scent is strongest on warm mornings during peak bloom.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to yellowFoliage Description
glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
It grows in full sun to part shade in soils ranging from sand to clay with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Water regularly through the first season; established plants tolerate both drought and periodic waterlogging. It tolerates light frost to about 25°F (-4°C), with foliage browning at the tips below that. Few pests or diseases occur. Divide congested clumps every 4-5 years to remove dead central growth.Pruning
Trim foliage to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) above the base in late winter to remove old leaves before new growth. Remove spent flower spikes after seed drop to reduce self-seeding. Plants regenerate from the base within a few weeks of cutting.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons