Elegia tectorum
RESTIONACEAE

• The Cape thatching reed is a tufted perennial restio 1-2m in height. At our Cape Flats Fynbos Nursery we grow the ‘dwarf’ form from Fish Hoek, sought after by landscapers for its neat habit. The specific epithet ‘tectorum’ derives from the Latin ‘roofing’ which refers to its traditional use in thatching. This is a dioecious species (i.e. separate male and female plants) whose tall flowering stems are topped with compact terminal golden-brown flowerheads. Although the male flowers provide food for pollen-collecting bees, the plants are not pollinated by bees. Instead they rely on gusts of wind to transfer pollen to the female plants. Not only do the flowers nourish urban bees, but the seeds are relished by granivorous birds.
• Flowering time: May-October
  In your garden: A superb accent plant in wetland gardens or natural pool margins, owing to its clump-forming growth form and strong architectural shape. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil in an area that receives good air flow. It may look tough, but this is not a water-wise plant! Will need regular watering if not planted in permanently damp soil. Do not cut back to reduce its height as this will cause the plant to slowly die off.
  Distribution: Damp sandy areas and seasonal marshes in the Western and Eastern Cape
  Image ©️ James Puttick