Ficinia truncata

Ficinia truncata, sometimes called the limestone clubrush, is a low-growing, tufted perennial sedge, reaching heights around 30 cm. It belongs to a genus endemic to the Cape Floristic Region. The plants branch, spreading horizontally from the base by wiry rhizomes. The narrowly strap-shaped leaves have white margins and truncated tips. 

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.

The species distribution is along the coast in the Western Cape from Gansbaai to the Gouritz River, a second, separate distribution is in the Eastern Cape from around Humansdorp to Gqeberha. This one was photographed in the De Hoop Reserve.

The habitat is limestone flats and slopes. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

The white leaf margins ending in blunt or square tips growing in eye-catching rosettes provide the ornamental feature of these popular garden plant among the many ficinias of the region (iNaturalist; www.plantzafrica.com; http://plants.newplant.co.za; https://redlist.sanbi.org).