14 Jan Spiny headed, Slender mat rush or River reed
Lomandra hystrix
Still mistaken for local native L. longifolia
and planted in bushland restoration sites.
High potential to hybridise with local
species leading to loss of vigour and genetic
integrity. Damages ecosystems where it
doesn’t belong.
Family: Lomandraceae
Origin: Riverine
sub tropical
Australia
Habit: Tufted hardy plant with dark green, strappy leaves to 1.3 m.
Leaves: Leaf tips pointed with 2-4 tiny side teeth lower down.
Flowers: Clusters of fluffy yellow green or cream scented flower spikes as
tall as leaf blades
Fruit: Clusters of fluffy yellow lemon scented flower spikes on female
plants mainly in spring. Primary branches of the flower spikes are
in fours.
Roots: Fibrous root system
Dispersal: Widely used in large scale revegetation projects along
roadsides and watercourses. Seedlings spread readily into
neighbouring bushland.
Control: Remove flower heads before seed set. Remove plants.