''Lomandra longifolia'', commonly known as spiny-head mat-rush, spiky-headed mat-rush or basket grass, is a perennial, rhizomatous herb found throughout eastern Australia. The leaves are 40 cm to 80 cm long, and generally have a leaf of about 8 mm to 12 mm wide. It grows in a variety of soil types and is frost, heat and drought tolerant. Labillardiere described ''Lomandra longifolia'' from a specimen collected in Tasmania.

Cultivation

This strappy leaf plant is often used in landscaping in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States, due to its high level of drought tolerance. The breeding of more compact finer leaf forms has made ''Lomandra longifolia'' popular as an evergreen grass-like plant in home plantings. Tanika, ''Lomandra longifolia'' 'LM300', also known as breeze grass in the US, was the first fine leaf type. It still has the finest leaf of any ''Lomandra longifolia'', with a width of 3 mm. In temperatures down to −7 degrees Celsius these plants stay evergreen, and this variety has been recorded to live in the USA at a number of sites including Alabama, at −10 degrees Celsius. ''L. longifolia'' is closely related to '' L. hystrix'', the main differences being that the leaf of ''L. hystrix'' has teeth on each side of the longer main end point, whereas that of ''L. longifolia'' has side teeth equal if not longer than the central one (a W shape).

Uses

Many parts of the plant are edible. Indigenous Australians grind and soak the yellow seed heads for use in damper. The long, flat, fibrous leaves are used for weaving dilly bags, fishing nets, mats, baskets, and other goods. The flowers are edible and taste of peas. The base of the leaves contains water, and was chewed by those in danger of dehydration. They taste of peas or celery. Aboriginal basket made from lomandra (cropped)

Aboriginal basket made from lomandra (cropped)

References

Lomandra longifolia
Growing Native Plants, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Australian National Herbarium. Retrieved 2009-05-04. {{Taxonbar, from=Q6669134 longifolia Asparagales of Australia Flora of Queensland Flora of New South Wales Flora of the Australian Capital Territory Flora of Victoria (Australia) Flora of Tasmania Garden plants of Australia Plants described in 1805