Ficinia nodosa

(previously known as Isolepis nodosa and Scirpus nodosus)

Knobby Club Rush / Wīwī

ABOUT:
Early Māori used this for thatching whare roofs.

IDENTIFY:     
1m x 1m. An erect, green-orange sedge, fountain-like in shape. Every “leaf” is cylindrical, developing a brown half-ball flower head atop.

USE:
Useful in revegetation of coastal wetland. Effective in mass-planting, and its erect nature supports formal planting in rows and on path/building edging.

PLANT:
Plant 50cm apart. Keep damp to begin, but tolerant of anything from wetland to drought once established. Leaves will be greener in fertile soils. Fast growing, compact. Handles saline and non-saline soils alike. Leaves are at their best with good fertility and full sun. Can tolerate coastal winds as well as light frosts. Trim back to ground level every 2-3 years.

ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE:     
Provides habitat for water birds. Also as a pioneer species in saline and non-saline wetlands, stabilising soils to allow the establishment of larger species.

MORE INFO:
Taranaki Educational Resource – Ficinia nodosa
NZ Plant Conservation Network – Ficinia nodosa
Bluedale Nursery – Ficinia nodosa