RHODOCOMA capensis. Yet another of the odd and ornamental Restio allies of South Africa, which of course one can’t help trying. It makes dense clumps of 3-5’ stems, somewhat resembling those of a large horsetail. Thick brushes of wiry, deep green branchlets are angled upward at the nodes, giving a spiral effect. The contrast of many pale bracts gives a glittering effect. At the branch tips in summer are small brown spikelets of male or female flowers (the two sexes are borne on different plants). This is a dramatic plant for poolside and other moist spots. Give it sun or light shade and reasonably well drained, non-alkaline soil. Probably hardy to 20-25oF.