Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Kuawa or Lake club-rush is indigenous, but also found throughout the world. In New Zealand it is found throughout the North Island, and in the South Island it is present in Nelson, Marlborough, Westland otherwise only around Christchurch and Lake Ellesmere. On the Chatham Islands it is known from one place - where it is possibly introduced.
It is found in coastal to montane areas, up to 300 m a.s.l., mostly in standing water, growing in brackish or freshwater systems such as lakes, ponds, lagoons, river and stream margins. It is also found well inland around geothermal systems. It is a tall, bluish-green, creeping rush like plant 1.5m high up to 4m. Its main use is for environmental planting, but may be grown in wet soils or around the edge of a large pond. It may die down in colder areas over winter.