World Plants

Calopsis paniculata (Paniculate Restio, Calopsis, Restio)

Family	Restionaceae
Genus	Calopsis
Species	paniculata
Synonyms	Restio paniculatus
Category	Perennials, Tropicals
Origin	Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, South Africa.
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer	Calopsis paniculata is often used in the manufacture of brooms in the Eastern Cape province as it has shorter branches and more wiry stems than many of the other Cape reeds, which are more often used for thatching.

USDA Hardiness Zone	10
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	Requires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H2
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	1– 5
Height	3 m
Spread	5 m

General Description	A bushy, much-branched, evergreen, rhizomatous perennial, producing erect stems up to 3 m in height and spreading up to 5 m across.
ID Characteristic	This is an attractive waterside plant which is normally found growing in waterlogged soils on river or stream banks.
Shape	A tall reed like plant with bright green leaves and stems reaching a height of 3 m.
Propagation	By seed at 16-18°C after soaking for 24 hours in warm water, or by division of rhizomes in early spring.
Cultivation	Grow in a preferably acidic, loam-based compost in full light. Water moderately when in growth during the spring summer and early autumn.
Pests	Generally pest and disease free.
Notable Specimens	Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Habitat	It is widespread, occurring from the south western Cape through the wetter areas along the seaboard into KwaZulu-Natal.
Bark/Stem Description	The stems emerge from the ground via a strong underground rhizome with the lower parts of the stem looking somewhat bamboo-like. The stems are olive green with some purple spotting.
Flower Description	It bears clusters of brown grass-like flowers at the terminal ends of the stems. The male and female parts are borne on separate plants, with the female plants bearing small snowy white inflorescences and the male plants bearing less showy inflorescences.

Calopsis paniculata, form, Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.

Calopsis paniculata, leaf, Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.

Calopsis paniculata, old stem, Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.