Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra)

Description:

A very young specimen of Lomandra longifolia, commonly known as "spiny-headed mat-rush" or simply as "lomandra". This species belongs to the family Asparagaceae, the same family as the asparagus, and is a perennial, rhizomatous herb found throughout eastern Australia. This is not a grass species. Leaves are glossy green, shiny, firm and flat. They can grow from 40cm up to 1m long and 8-12mm wide, and are usually taller than the flowering stem. The inflorescence is usually a panicle of clusters of sessile flowers, and each cluster has a sharp, slender, straw-colored bract at its base which gives it a dense spike-like structure. Its flowers are scented. 5 species of the Lomandra genus occur in Girraween.... http://www.rymich.com/girraween/index.ph... PS: The last two photos show a mature plant and flower head.

Habitat:

Spotted along Mt. Norman Rd in Girraween National Park, SEQ. Dry sclerophyll forest, open meadows, and swampland areas along the creek course. There's also a natural freshwater pond at this location, although lomandra doesn't necessarily need this to flourish - it grows in a variety of soil types and is frost, heat and drought tolerant. At this location, sunny aspect and sandy soil. Here's some park info - http://www.rymich.com/girraween/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girraween_...

Notes:

Indigenous Australians ground the seeds for use in damper, and the long, flat, fibrous leaves were used for weaving. The base of the leaves contains water, and was chewed by those in danger of dehydration. (Wikipedia) Check this guy out. He's a character and shows how to ID mat-rush and its uses.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFwf0Fuq...