Family: Lomandraceae
Common Name: Mat-rush

Native to Australia, this genus of small, tufted, grass-like plants are widely distributed, though few species are cultivated. They have long, sword-like or grassy leaves. The mostly cream flowers on long spikes are short-lived, but the clusters of rounded, yellow fruit capsules remain decorative for a long time. Bracts, which are often spiny, are a lasting feature of the inflorescence. They are best grown in a cool conservatory or greenhouse in climates prone to frost, especially if the climate is also damp or wet.

Species

Not all of these species are available outside Australia.

L. longifolia is the best known.

L. effusa, scented mat-rush, is reed-like, to 1 m (3 ft), with narrow, twisted, blueish green leaves and graceful, branched sprays of white or yellow, tissuey flowers.

L. filiformis, wattle mat-rush, to 25 cm (10 in), has tufts of stiff, blueish leaves and yellow, ball-shaped, wattle-like flowers, which give the species its common name.

L. gracilis, frayed mat-rush, grows to 25 cm (10 in), with narrow, twisted leaves, fraying into fine threads near the base.

L. leucocephala has tufting, grayish leaves and large, globular, white flowers embedded into the frayed bracts. The highly perfumed flowers are usually borne in terminal heads.

L. longifo­lia is tussock forming, to 70 cm (30 in) high and 1 m (3 ft) wide. Native to eastern and southern Australia, this tough, useful plant, with very decorative inflorescences, has many applications in the home garden and larger landscape. The strappy leaves have an arching habit. It is the most widely grown of the species.

L. multiflora, many-flowered mat-rush, grows in narrow tufts, with slender, widely branched sprays of drooping, yellow, white or brown flowers.

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in well-drained soil-based potting compost. Plants need maxi-mum light. Outdoors, plant in a sunny position with well-drained soil. Propagate from seed sown as soon as ripe and germinate at a tem­perature of 18°C (64°F). Alternatively, divide established clumps in spring.

Climate

Zone 9.