Ok I’m just going to throw it out there and confess “I love lomandra”. From their bold strapping leaves to their upright tufted habit and sweet scented flowers, these plants make my blood rush to the point where my partner now cringes when asking “what should we plant here” … but seriously folks… let’s look at lomandra.

Ten species of lomandra, commonly known as mat rush, are naturally found in SEQ. They are often referred to as a ‘large grass’ however their family is Laxmanniaceae and the true grass family is Poaceae.

Naturally, the ten species are found across a range of ecosystems including heathlands, wetlands, waterways, rainforest, eucalypt forest and montane rock faces. In fact, there’s not many plant communities where they are not found.

In urban and city environments, they are planted everywhere, from roadsides and roundabouts, to parks and sporting fields. Lomandra is one of the most widely used native plants across our landscape. Why you ask? Primarily it’s because they are incredibly hardy in our harsh environment, but it goes much further than that!

They are tolerant to drought and frost, grow in most soil types, handle vehicle pollutants, many are fire retardant and others survive major flood events, for example Lomandra hystrix is well known for dissipating water flow during peak flows. When established in mass, their fibrous root systems intertwine forming ‘mat like’ structures that effectively stabilise topsoil. After multiple recent cyclone events a number of Land for Wildlife members that manage riparian areas mentioned that, “the weeds just washed away but lomandra remained”. For landscaping steep slopes with minimal ongoing maintenance, lomandras are perfect.
Traditional use of lomandra by Indigenous communities is vast. It was used to make baskets, dilly bags, nets, fish and eel traps, mats, food containers and other implements. The long tough leaves were split, bundled, soaked and drawn through hot ashes to allow the fibres to become suitable for weaving. Leaf fibres were used to make string for armbands and necklaces. Medicinally, the leaves were sometimes used as bandages and the root of some lomandra species were used for the treatment of bites and stings.

The sweetly scented flowers are edible. Fruit is also edible but they are tough and need to be ground to meal first. The base of the leaf is a little bit fleshy and can be eaten. It is said to be refreshing, tasting both nutty or like fresh green peas. I tested this on my lomandras and can confirm whilst it was refreshing, it wasn’t quite like the sugar snaps in my garden.

In regard to habitat value, lomandras play a vital role for insects and this in turn, benefits birds, frogs and other animals that feed on insects. Flowers are pollinated by beetles and the nectar harvest is well sought after by bees, whilst ants harvest and distribute seeds. Importantly, leaves are also food for the larvae of numerous skipper butterflies.

The tufted structure of the larger lomandra species provides shelter and protection for many small animals including snakes, skinks, and smaller mammals including pademelons and rodents. It is well documented that Indigenous people also considered them a great place to hunt!

At home I’m always excited to hear the rustling of critters as I brush through my lomandras. When I sit quietly, it never ceases to amaze me how much activity and diversity lays within. One of my favourites is a family of Major Skinks that bask in the sunshine on the outer edges of lomandra and, with the slightest of movement, will retreat to shelter in the blink of an eye.

Can you spot the the Major Skink (Egernia frerei) basking on the fallen leaves at the base of this lomandra plant?

So if you need a low maintenance, stabilising plant that will provide great habitat for our local critters consider lomandras.
If you would like to grow your own, follow these easy steps as most species propagate readily from seed. Ideally collect your seed from a number of different plants in the wild (rather than planted ones) and ensure you have permission for seed collection.

Try propogating Lomandra yourself

STEP 3
Pour boiling water into a bowl – let it cool for 5 minutes before adding the seed and soak for a couple of hours. This treatment helps break down the hard seed coat and controls insects that may damage the seed whilst in the seed raising tray. The viable seed usually sinks in the bowl over time. Anything floating on the surface is unlikely to have a developed embryo and will not germinate.

References & further reading:
Leiper G, Glazebrook J, Cox D & Rathie K (2017) Mangroves to Mountains: A field guide to the native plants of south-east Queensland. Logan River Branch SGAP.
McKerney M & White H (2011) Bush Tucker, Boomerangs and Bandages: Traditional Aboriginal Plant Use in the Border Rivers and Gwydir Catchments. Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority.
Williams C (2010) Medicinal Plants in Australia Volume 1: Bush Pharmacy. Rosenberg Publishing.

Article and photos by Saul Hondow
Land for Wildlife Officer
City of Gold Coast

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4 responses on “Propagating Lomandra

  1. I love them too! I knew they were great but now I have even more reasons to love them. I am going to plant some asap. Just one question – I live in Chapel Hill quite close to the bush. Who should I ask for permission to collect seed locally please?
    Thanks very much!

    1. Hi Rachel. This is a good article on collecting seed in SEQ – techniques and permits. https://www.redland.qld.gov.au/info/20286/native_gardening/641/collecting_native_seeds
      If you wish to collect seed from a Brisbane City Council reserve, we would encourage you to contact council and speak to an officer in the Habitat Brisbane team – they should be able to help you or connect you with a local bushcare group that maybe already collects and propagates native plant seeds.

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