Pingao or Pikao is a native sedge which is usually found in amongst sand dunes. Like marram grass it helps to hold sand together to form dunes in the first place.
Here the DCC have planted some in ornamental beds on the esplanade at St Clair. They are rather scruffy looking plants in this context. But most people just pass by without giving them a second glance. This is a shame.
The species is under threat, mostly from introduced marram grass. So we should applaud the DCC's attempt to bring them to public notice. The latin name Desmoschoenus spiralis describes how the flower heads are arranged on the stem. Its other vernacular name-Golden Sedge Grass-refers to the golden colour of its leaves which when dry are even goldener, and are used in tradtional weaving.
