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Story: Wetlands

Giant cane rush

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Giant cane rush

One of New Zealand’s endangered wetland plants, giant cane rush (Sporadanthus ferrugineus) is largely restricted to three Waikato peat bogs. Once extensive, giant cane rush bogs were reduced to 3,140 hectares by the year 2000. The plant grows to about 2.5 metres, forming drifts through which wire rush grows.

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by Peter Johnson

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How to cite this page

Peter Johnson, Wetlands – Reeds, rushes, sedges and low growers, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/15113/giant-cane-rush (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Peter Johnson, published 1 March 2009.