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Mat Rush

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Lomandra longifolia


Plant Number: 3

Common Name: Mat Rush, Spiny-head Mat Rush, Basket Grass

Scientific Name: Lomandra longifolia 

Derivation of name

Lomandrafrom Loma- (Greek) meaning edge, border and aner, man, male, because of the bordered anthers of some species.

longifoliafrom longi- (Latin) meaning long and -folia (Latin) meaning leaf.

Description

  • A perennial (i.e. lives for more than 1 year) herb that features rhizomes (i.e. horizontal underground stems)

  • Linear, long, glossy leaves to one metre, tip of leaf prominently toothed

  • Perfumed straw-coloured flowers to 5mm on flattened spikes

  • Green seed capsules turning dark brown when mature

  • Drought and temperature tolerant plant

Human uses

Indigenous Australians split the leaves and softened them by passing them through hot ashes before being woven into baskets and dilly bags.  The white base of the leaves was also chewed.

Acknowledgment: Mangroves to Mountains, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Mutaroo

Photo Credit: Eric Hunt


 

 


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Last reviewed 20 May 2020
Last updated 20 May 2020