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Lepidosperma tortuosum

Tortuous Rapier-sedge

Tufted perennial sedge, spreading from very short underground stems. Flowering stems 0.5-2mm wide, rigid, erect, twisted, convex on both sides, margins flat, rough.

Additional information

  • FamilyCyperaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Sizestems 10-35 cm high
  • Plant groupingGrasses, Rushes & Sedges
  • LeavesLeaves slightly biconvex with central groove on each side, shorter than stems, 0.5-2 mm wide. Sheaths shiny, yellow-brown to reddish.
  • Flower colourReddish
  • Flowering timeSpring to Summer
  • FlowersErect oval flowerhead 2-4 cm long; few small clusters of spikelets, central stem strongly zigzagged. Leafy bract below flowers shorter or longer than flowerhead. Grey-green shiny nut.
  • Bird attractingSeeds
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsMoist soils which may be seasonally waterlogged, in woodlands and forests of the lowlands and foothills. Semi shade.
  • Garden useInteresting small sedge for wet depressions and bog gardens.
  • Commercially availableNo information available
  • Conservation statusScattered occurrences within the preferred habitat in the Shire.

Photo Gallery

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1 Lepidosperma tortuosum

(JPG, 518KB)
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2 Lepidosperma tortuosum

(JPG, 61KB)
Photographer/s: 1 George Stolfo, Flora of Melbourne ©; 2 Threatened Species Section (2019). Species Management Profile for Tasmania's Threatened Species. www.threatenedspecieslink.tas.gov.au/Pages/Lepidosperma-tortuosum.aspx. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania

Plant Communities

  • 30 Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
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