THAMNOCHORTUS rigidus. South Africa. A showy member of the great restio alliance, easily distinguished from Elegia and its other better-known cousins. It produces two separate kinds of shoots. The vegetative or sterile shoots are spreading to prostrate and intricately branched, making a springy net of wiry branchlets, all under 2’ high. The branchlets are dark green overall but have brightly contrasting, silvery bracts. Separate flowering stems rise 3-4’ in summer, carrying clusters of chaffy brown flower spikelets. Those of the male plants droop gracefully. This is an attractive plant for any moist spot around the garden, and for large containers. Sun or light shade near the coast, part shade inland, well drained soil, constant moisture. Hardy to around 20oF.