Elegia is a genus of grass-like plants in the family Restionaceae. The genus includes 32 species endemic to South Africa. Some are grown as ornamentals in gardens. The genus name Elegia comes from the Greek word elegeia which means song of lamentation.... more details
Elegia is a genus of grass-like plants in the family Restionaceae. The genus includes 32 species endemic to South Africa. Some are grown as ornamentals in gardens. The genus name Elegia comes from the Greek word elegeia which means song of lamentation. This may refer to the sound restios make while they are moving in the breeze. Restios are one of the main components of fynbos and are found growing mainly in the Western & Eastern Cape. Elegia tectorum, previously Chondropetalum tectorum or Restio tectorum and commonly known as Cape Thatching Reed or Dakriet in Afrikaans is a South African indigenous tufted perennial growing to between 1.5m and 2.25m tall. It has deciduous leaf sheaths. The flowers are less than 3 mm long. Petals are smooth or hairy in the upper half. Elegia tectorum is found in marshes and seeps on deep sand in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape of South Africa. The specie name comes from the Latin tectorum meaning 'roofing' in reference to the fact that this species has been used to provide thatching material. In nature, restios are mostly found in the Western Cape fynbos region where they occur together with proteas, pincushions, ericas and other fynbos species. The Cape thatching reed makes an excellent garden subject - growing particularly well alongside ponds in moist soil. It is drought tolerant, but appreciates supplemental water in spring. It is cold hardy to about -4C and tolerates a wide soil pH range. It can be successfully planted in seaside gardens, containers and used in xeriscaping or used as a plant in the shallows of a water garden.
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