ELEGIA. South Africa. There is an odd family of monocots, Restionaceae, scattered about the Southern Hemisphere, whose members vaguely resemble the rushes, sedges, and even, in some cases, the horsetails. Elegia is one of several South African representatives of that group (you might also want to see the entries for Chondropetalum, Ischyrolepis, Rhodocoma and Thamnochortus). The plants produce many rush-like stems from the base. These may be simple, literally resembling those of the rushes (Juncus) or branched profusely at the nodes, giving some species the appearance of the horsetails (Equisetum). The leaves are reduced to bracts along the stems, though in some species the branches have a leaf-like appearance. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, usually in dense clusters at the shoot tips. Individually they resemble bits of chaff or tiny brown beads, though stems with large clusters can be quite decorative. The following thrive in sun or light shade, part shade inland, with well drained soil and constant moisture (this is not necessarily the same as “heavy watering”, for they use only modest quantities of water). Their hardiness may vary.

capensis. It produces many arching green stems, up to 8’ tall, from a compact base. Each stem carries whorls of wiry, jointed branchlets at the nodes. Panicles of chaffy flowers are carried at the shoot tips. This is an unusual and beautiful plant for poolside plantings and large tubs. It seems to resent disturbance of the roots and should be left alone once it is in place. Hardy to around 20^oF., though the shoots may be burned by lesser freezes.

equisetacea. This is a smaller, somewhat daintier plant than the last, growing 3’ to occasionally 5’ high. Dark reddish brown bracts and light green areas along the internodes create an interesting contrast. At the nodes are smaller clusters of shorter branches than those of E. capensis,  fanning out on one side of the stem rather than whorled around it. Dense, rather narrow plumes of  flowers are elevated well above the foliage. Assume 25^oF., though it may prove a little hardier.