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Products > Chondropetalum elephantinum   Chondropetalum elephantinum - Large Cape Rush    [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Grass-like Family: Restionaceae (Restios) Origin: South Africa (Africa) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Brown Bloomtime: Summer/Fall Synonyms: [C. tectorum, Hort., Elegia elephantina] Height: 3-5 feet Width: 4-6 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Seaside: Yes Drought Tolerant: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F Chondropetalum elephantinum (Large Cape Rush) - This South African plant forms dense tufted clumps from which arise 4 feet tall dark green unbranched stems. The dark brown sheaths at the joints drop off in summer leaving a dark band at each node. Late in the season the stems arch gracefully from the weight of clusters of small brown flowers at the tips. Male and female plants have remarkably similar flowers but the female flowers are held tighter and clustered toward the tip of the stems. Plant in full to part sun. It is drought tolerant, but appreciates supplemental water in spring. It is hardy to about 20-25 degrees F and tolerates a wide soil pH range. In its natural habitat Chondropetalum elephantinum grows close to the coast from Clanwilliam to Grahamstown, often preferring marshy habitat. It can be successfully planted in seaside gardens, used in relatively dry landscapes or as a plant in the shallows of a water garden. We have recently been told by our seed supplier that the plant widely grown in the US as Chondropetalum tectorum has been reclassified as Chondropetalum elephantinum. The true Chondropetalum tectorum is a smaller plant (about 3 feet tall) from the southern Cape and Chondropetalum elephantinum is a more robust form up to 6 feet tall from the West Coast. The taxonomic work up on this was done by Dr. Hans Peter Linder who is a professor at the University of Zurich Institute for Systematical Botany and co-author of the "Restios of the Fynbos". Likely of the plants in the nursery trade are from seed collected from the larger form.  The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery and in our own and other Santa Barbara gardens. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information or disagrees with what we have written.     [MORE INFO]