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Baumea rubiginosa 'Variegata' (Variegated Striped Rush) - An attractive rigidly upright sedge-like plant that typically grows 18-24 inch tall (taller if in wet conditions) and spreads slowly on short rhizomes forming dense clumps. The 1/8-inch-wide needle-like leaves (elliptical in cross section) rise perfectly straight and perpendicular to the ground, and are deep green and striped along one edge with yellow.
Plant in full to part sun where it will grow in moist soils, but seems to do best in loose soil with frequent to regular irrigation. It can also can go into shallow water if crown is near or slightly above the surface, and in these conditions can grow to up to 3 feet tall. Hardy to about 0-10 degrees F.
Baumea rubiginosa is native to swamps, on the margins of lakes and streams and along coastal areas throughout Australia, New Zealand and north into southeast Asia. The Kew database currently lists no species in the genus Baumea, with most previously in this genus now reclassified as being in the genera Gauhnia, Cladium or Machaerina. This species, long grown as Baumea rubiginosa is now correctly called Machaerina rubiginosa, but we continue to list it under its older name until this name gets broader acceptance. The name for the genus Baumea honored the French Chemist Antoine Baume (1728-1804). The name Machaerina comes from the Greek word 'machaira' meaning "a large knife" in refence to the shape of the leaves of the type species, Machaerina restioides. The specific epithet means rust colored, alluding to the reddish-brown flowerheads. Another common name for the species is Rusty Twig Rush.
We received this interesting and attractive plant from water garden specialist Greg Speichert of Crystal Palace Perennials who got it from the U.S. National Arboretum. We grew it from 1994 up until closing the nursery in 2025.
The information displayed on this page about Baumea rubiginosa 'Variegata' is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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