Nutrush: A Pacific Island Native Sedge for Specialized Gardens
If you’re gardening in the Pacific islands and looking for truly native plants, you might want to get acquainted with nutrush (Scleria novaehollandiae). This grass-like plant is one of those quiet, understated natives that doesn’t make a big splash but plays an important role in its ecosystem.
What Is Nutrush?
Nutrush belongs to the sedge family (Cyperaceae), which means it’s technically not a grass but looks quite similar to one. Like other sedges, it has that distinctive grass-like appearance that can fool even experienced gardeners at first glance. The telltale sign? Remember the old saying: sedges have edges – their stems are typically triangular rather than round.
Where Does Nutrush Come From?
This plant is a true Pacific Basin native, naturally occurring in Guam and Palau. It’s specifically adapted to the unique growing conditions found on these Pacific islands, making it a genuine local for gardeners in these regions.
Should You Plant Nutrush in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While nutrush has the appealing quality of being a true native plant, there’s limited information available about its specific growing requirements, appearance, and garden performance. This isn’t uncommon with specialized island natives that haven’t been widely cultivated.
If you’re gardening in Guam or Palau, nutrush could be worth considering for these reasons:
- It’s genuinely native to your region
- Native sedges often provide important habitat for local wildlife
- It’s likely well-adapted to local climate conditions
- Using native plants supports local ecosystem health
The Challenge of Growing Nutrush
The biggest hurdle with nutrush is the lack of readily available growing information. Unlike popular garden plants, specialized native sedges like this one haven’t been extensively studied for home cultivation. We don’t have solid details about:
- Specific soil preferences
- Water requirements
- Sun or shade tolerance
- Mature size
- Growth rate
If You Want to Try Growing Nutrush
Should you decide to experiment with this native sedge, here are some general guidelines based on what we know about similar Pacific island plants:
- Source responsibly: Only obtain plants or seeds from reputable native plant suppliers who can verify the plant’s origin
- Start small: Try growing it in a contained area first to observe its behavior
- Mimic natural conditions: Research the natural habitats where nutrush grows wild and try to replicate those conditions
- Be patient: Native plants often establish slowly but prove more resilient once established
The Bottom Line
Nutrush represents both the promise and challenge of working with lesser-known native plants. While it offers the significant benefit of being truly native to its region, the limited cultivation information makes it more of an experimental choice than a sure bet.
If you’re an adventurous gardener in Guam or Palau who’s passionate about native plants and willing to do some trial-and-error learning, nutrush could be an interesting addition to your plant palette. Just be prepared for some detective work along the way, and consider connecting with local botanists or native plant societies who might have hands-on experience with this intriguing sedge.
For gardeners outside its native range, there are likely better sedge options that are better understood and more readily available through standard gardening channels.
