Bright to dark green, orange-green to red-green (drying glossy yellow-green) rather variable perennial, forming compact to diffuse tussocks 0.6-2.5 m tall. Flowering stems 1-3 mm diameter, erect, rather wiry (very hard when dry), smooth, shining.

Easily the most common indigenous species. Coastal to alpine (1600 m a.s.l.) but mainly coastal. Usually in open shrubland, fringing wetlands, and in seasonally damp sites. Often found invading pasture and in urban areas.

Uses the suns energy for photosynthesis.

Flowers October to December, Fruits November to April.

http://nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=869 accessed 20/02/19