Ficinia truncata

Ficinia truncata is a low-growing perennial sedge, which is not really a grass but housed in this Album at this stage. It belongs to a genus endemic to the Cape Floristic Region and grows in low nutrient alkaline soils of the south-western Cape coast. This one was photographed in the De Hoop Reserve.

The white leaf edges with their squared off or truncated tips provide the ornamental feature. It grows in clumps of eye-catching rosettes or tufts from one base, making this species the popular gardening item among the many ficinias of the region (http://plants.newplant.co.za).

The stems spread horizontally from the base and age into wiry rhizomes. A rounded chestnut or russet brown flower head or spikelet on a long stalk grows in spring from each stem. The small dry fruit or achene contains one seed (www.plantzafrica.com).