About Lepidosperma gladiatum Labill.
Lepidosperma gladiatum Labill. is a clump-forming perennial sedge that most often grows as a dense stand. It favors habitats of dunes and creek lines, and has a stout vertical rhizome. Large clumps of dark green, strap-like leaves form a dense canopy. The leaves are flat, 150mm long and 25mm wide, ending in a sharp point. The plant can reach 3m in both height and width, though it is typically smaller. It produces brown, spiky hermaphroditic flowers on long central stalks.
This species occurs in coastal regions across Australia, found in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia. In Southwest Australia, its range extends north to Cervantes and east to Cape Arid National Park.
Seedheads of Lepidosperma gladiatum have been used to feed captive red-eared firetails, the finch-like species Stagonopleura oculata. The birds readily extract and eat the seeds, which suggests that Lepidosperma gladiatum seeds are part of the red-eared firetail's natural diet in its native habitat.
