Practical
Plants

Desmoschoenus spiralis

a perennial member of the Desmoschoenus genus in the family Cyperaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.9 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

Young shoots[4]. There are no edible uses listed for Desmoschoenus spiralis.

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant has an extensive root system that makes it useful for binding sand[1]. The dried leaves are bright yellow and are used in making patterned baskets[1][2].

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Sand dunes by the coast on North, South and Chatham Islands[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed -

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

None known

References

  1. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

    ↩1↩2

  2. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

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  3. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  4. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton ISBN 0-340-508302 (1990-00-00)

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