ISCHYROLEPIS subverticillata. South Africa. This is a dramatic perennial of the restio alliance, much like a giant horsetail in appearance. It forms broad, thick clumps with individual stems rising as much as 8’. Spaced along them are whorls of many spreading, wiry, dark green branchlets, with only narrow brown bracts for leaves. The plants are of separate sexes, carrying clusters of small brown flowers at the tips of the upper branchlets in summer and fall. The pollen-bearing flowers of the male plants are borne in larger, branched clusters which suggest those of a gigantic Carex. Flowers of the female plants are produced in very short, few-flowered clusters. This is an elegant plant for poolside, shade gardens and large tubs. The stems make elegant additions, in or out of flower, to large floral arrangements. It thrives in sun or shade near the coast, in well drained, non-alkaline soil, with moderate to regular watering. Hardy to around 20oF.