Plant Profile: Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata'

Names

Striped rush, Variegated Rush, Variegated striped rush, Variegated water chestnut

  • Photo of Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' (Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata's)

Phonetic Spelling:mak-er-EE-nah roo-bij-ih-NO-suh

Genus:Machaerina

Species:rubiginosa

Family:Cyperaceae

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' is a perennial plant that thrives in moist environments, characterized by its sword-like, variegated leaves. This species develops dense clusters through rhizomes, which can expand into larger colonies. It prefers full sunlight; however, when grown in shaded or partially shaded areas, the leaves may lose their vibrancy and become less upright. For optimal growth, it should be planted in consistently wet, loose soil, which can encourage taller development. Additionally, it can be cultivated in a 2-gallon pot submerged in 1 to 6 inches of water.

The leaves are a rich green, featuring yellow stripes along one edge. The genus name Machaerina is derived from the Greek term 'machaira,' meaning 'a large knife,' which reflects the shape of the blades.

As for pests and diseases, there are no significant issues reported.

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Feature Summary

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Image Gallery

Tags

#evergreen
#yellow
#full sun tolerant
#perennial
#water plant
#perennial grass
#ponds
#partial shade tolerant

Similar Plants

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Feature Summary

Attributes
Leaves
This plant has cylindrical, flat, green leaves with yellow and dark green variegation.
Green
Gold/Yellow
Variegated
< 1 inch
Whole Plant Traits
Water Plant
Erect
Clumping
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Frequent Standing Water
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Flowers
Red/Burgundy
Brown/Copper
Landscape
Water Garden
Border
Mass Planting
Barrier
Container
Pond

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Attributes

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Country Or Region Of Origin

New Zealand

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Leaves

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Leaf Description

This plant has cylindrical, flat, green leaves with yellow and dark green variegation.

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Leaf Color

spa
Gold/Yellow
spa
Green
spa
Variegated

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Hairs Present

No
Yes

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Whole Plant Traits

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Cultural Conditions

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Flowers

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Flower Color

filter_vintage
Brown/Copper
filter_vintage
Red/Burgundy

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Stem

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata' Landscape

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata': Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland