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This robust, tussocky plant has vivid-green, strappy leaves and a clumped form. The prickly, straw-coloured flower spikes are nestled amongst the leaves from September to October; male and female flowers are on separate plants. Seeds are held in clusters until they ripen and shed in summer.
Our local form of Lomandra longifolia is subsp. exilis. It is finer than the popular landscaping form, Lomandra longifolia subsp. longifolia, which seems to be ‘Volunteering’/invading along our creeks from nearby gardens (Ian Higgins, pers. comm.). This plant makes a striking mound in a grassland or cottage garden, providing structural form throughout the year. Tough, adaptable and tolerant of a wide range of soils, it grows well in full sun to part shade and survives dry periods and waterlogging. Thrives best with plenty of moisture, forming a dense, green ground cover. With prolonged dry spells, it begins to look scrappy, as the leaves roll up and their tips dry off. It can be rejuvenated by cutting the clump close to ground level, but is slow to recover. If dead material is removed and plant is kept green, it is recognised as a low fire-risk plant.
Common in the understory of forest and woodlands at moister sites such as along watercourses and in higher rainfall areas of Castlemaine. Its fibrous roots help to stabilise soils in flood prone areas. The dense canopy makes it an excellent refuge for small animals such as frogs and lizards and its an important host plant for local butterflies. Leaves are an important food source for caterpillars of skipper butterflies such as the Barred Skipper and the Yellow and Heath Ochre. Seeds are eaten by granivorous and its tiny flowers provide a pollen and nectar reward for native bees, wasps, butterflies and beetles.