A common grass of swampy areas throughout New Zealand from sea level to 900 m. It is a well known species and it is a most useful plant for use in re-establishing or enhancing wetland areas. Older plants in moist to wet sites, often form thick trunk-like bases 1 metre tall from its own tightly matted roots. It takes on a yellow-green colour in open situations with the colour being intensified in the Winter. It likes either sun or semi-shade.