This rhizomatous perennial has a compact tufted habit with upright arching stems. It has slender unbranched dark green culms and the semi-pendant bronze female flower heads appear above the foliage autumn summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 10

Thamnochortus lucens is naturally found in South Africa growing on the western and northern Cape from Saldanha to the Cape Peninsula commonly on a dry sandstone mountain slopes to an altitude of 1525 m (5000 ft).

It prefers an open sunny position with hot dry summer and it grows in well-drained moderately fertile sandy stony soil and his drought tolerant but frost tender.

Cape Reed is grown for its tufted habit and attractive flower heads. It is planted parks and gardens along the borders for colour contrast or used in large rockeries as a specimen. It is also grown in tubs and planter boxes that are suitable for coastal and mountainous regions tolerated exposed windy positions. It establishes in 2-3 years and is moderately long-lived. Care should be taken when growing seedlings as they are prone to damping off. ID 3720

Thamnochortus (tham-no-KOR-tus) lucens (loo-senz)

Note:
The flowering culms produced side shoots from the nodes and become tangled. 

Restionaceae (RES-tee-on-AY-see-ee)
Restionales