Sedge

This grass-like plant grows along riverbanks and wetlands across South Africa.

Birds such as weavers and finches use it for building their nests, and it provides protection to many small animals including fish larvae. Large herbivores such as elephant and hippo graze on it.
The sedge successfully removes pollutants from water, including heavy metals, nitrogen and phosphates from purified sewage.
This sedge is widely used for weaving baskets and for making mats and twine. It is often grown in urban gardens.