Thank you to Jackie Chambers for both today's photographs and write-up:

Elegia capensis is a robust plant, reaching up to 3m tall and forming dense stands that can be between 3-5m in diameter. Native to South Africa, Elegia capensis can be found on sandy soils of the western, southern and eastern Cape. While it thrives on poor soils, it does requires moisture and is often found along the banks of streams, collecting water running off mountain slopes, or growing near underground water sources.

At first glance, the whorls of wiry dark green branches of this spectacular plant may remind some of Equiseteum. However, Elegia capensis is a member of Restionaceae (introduction to the family | detailed treatment of the family), or the "restios".

Elegia capensis is a rhizomatous perennial; the thick, underground rhizomes ensure it can survive the periodic fires that sweep through their habitat. The fire destroys the above ground growth; however the plant can quickly re-sprout from the base.

The new culms, or stems, are green and photosynthetic. They have prominent internodes, which give them a segmented appearance. The large, leaf-like structure along the culm is called a sheath. Sheaths are found at each node and serve to protect the growing point, the area where the whorls of thin, wiry branches emerge. As the culm ages, and the new branches unfurl, the papery sheaths become stiffer and bend back, pulling away from stem. This exposes the white, shiny inside of the sheath which glistens like a pearl in the African sun. Plantzafrica has more information and photographs on Elegia capensis.

Elegia capensis is dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. Both produce an inflorescence at the tip of the main culm from September to February (spring and summer in South Africa). The inflorescence of both sexes are composed or yellow or coppery-brown spikelets. The spikelets have bracts that protect the tiny white or green flowers inside. The fruit is a small winged nutlet which is ripe in March. For some lovely, detailed photographs of the flower structure, see Elegia capensis on PlantSystematics.org.

Elegia capensis depends on wind for its pollination -- and the wind may also be responsible for its scientific name. The genus name Elegia is derived from the Greek "elegeia", or a song of lamentation for the dead. Some suggest this is a reference to the whispering sounds made by the whorls of wiry branches swaying in the breeze. The species name capensis is a reference to the Cape distribution of this handsome plant.

Environment resource link (added by Daniel): If you're a local reader, I thought I'd let you know that it's the opening weekend for Mark Leiren-Young's film The Green Chain. I had the pleasure of seeing this film last year and found it an excellent portrayal of the different "sides" of the conflict surrounding trees and forestry practices through the stories (often laced with humour) of individuals who live and work because of forests. Plus, it has one of my photographs in the film! Mark talks about how this weekend's ticket sales in Vancouver will affect national and international distribution of the film in this Georgia Straight article: Mark Leiren-Young reflects on opening night jitters for The Green Chain. If you have the opportunity, go see it!