Name:
Lomandra

Botanical name:
lomandra longifolia

Description:
Lomandra, also known as Matt Rush or spiny-headed matt-rush, is a genus of native Australian clumping evergreen plants that includes 50 species distantly related to the lily family and is in the same family as Grass trees, found throughout Australia and New Guinea.

The plant is a tufted clump forming perennial that grows 60-120 cm wide and 50-100 cm high growing in shade, semi-shade and full sun. The flat, strap-like green leaves have two or more prickles at the end and the spiny yellow flowers bloom from late winter to summer in amongst the foliage. The plant is grows well in cool to warm climates and is tolerant of drought, poor soils and salt spray in coastal conditions.

The Spiny – headed Matt Rush is endemic to Australia, New Guinea and New Caledonia. In Australia it grows from Queensland through to South Australia and Tasmania. In Sydney, it is commonly found in sand dunes, woodlands, open forests and edge of rainforest communities extending to the Blue Mountains, growing along creeks and open areas.

Where can they be seen in the Parklands:
The Lomandra is the only species currently growing in Centennial Parklands extensively used in native garden displays, along the edge of the pond banks and the broader landscape particularly in dry sandy wild areas of Centennial Park such as south – west section and alongside roads and pathways such as Moore Park along South Dowling Road.