Indigenous. New Zealand, southern South Island, Stephens, Stewart, Chatham, Snares, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell Islands. Also present on Macquarie Island, in southern South America and the Falkland Islands. Carex trifida is a coastal plant often associated with seal haul outs and sea bird nesting grounds, especially - as the common name suggests – muttonbirds. Usually in open sites, very rarely found in canopy gaps within coastal forest. Often naturalises in gardens. Prefers full sun and a damp, well manured, slightly acidic soil but will grow in almost any conditions except deep shade. A beautiful and popular sedge, widely grown in New Zealand.
