This native Australian plant is found in Victoria, SA, south of WA, ACT, and NSW states on slopes and dunes, well-drained flats, and near salt pans and granite outcrops.

It grows in most soils with full to partial sun and is tolerant to harsh weather including droughts and heavy frost and against invasive species.

It is often found in tussock grassland ecological groups alongside its close relative Lomandra multiflora and other similar sized perennial grasses.

Lomandra effusa is used for soil stabilisation to control erosion and for ornamental purposed in home gardens, roundabouts, reserves, and parks.

Lomandra effusa is a native Australian grass-like plant which can grow up to 50 cm in height and width and reaches maturity in 2.5 years.

[2][3][4][5] It is a tough perennial tussock herb consisting of long, flat, arching leaves 10–50 cm in length and up to 2mm wide with 2 points at each leaf tip due to tapering.

[8] Lomandra effusa has white, cream, or pink funnel-shaped flowers with a strong fragrance in winter and spring following the rain (from June to October).

[3][5][6][7] Lomandra effusa is part of the Asparagales order in which most are herbaceous perennials with six tepals and up to six stamens and the family Asparagaceae often treated as Lomandraceae or Liliaceae.

[10] The bioregions, according to the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) system, it is found in Victoria include the Wimmera, Goldfields, Dundas Tablelands, Northern inland slopes, Greater Grampians, and Volcanic and Robinvale Plains and Riverina.

[9] Within these regions, Lomandra effusa is located in subregions of the Avon Wheatbelt, in Coolgardie, Northern Jarrah Forest, Eastern Murchison, Yalgoo, and Esperance and Swan Coastal plains and Geraldton Sandplains.

[9] Lomandra effusa forms sedges and rushes on lake slopes and dunes, well-drained flats, and near salt pans and granite outcrops.

[5][6][9][4][18] It is the dominant species in the Lomandra Effusa tussock grassland ecological group which is often found on hill slopes in the east and south and lofty communities.

[2] Tussock grasslands containing Lomandra effusa grow in areas which range from 5-70% canopy cover and where the undergrowth can reach up to 70% coverage.

[19] Lomandra effusa forms a habitat which provides protection to many small native animals including mammals and reptiles.

[10] In 1982, Iron grass grassland communities where Lomandra effusa is found was considered endangered and poorly or not conserved in South Australia.

[2] Under Federal legislation, the iron grass temperate grassland ecological community involving Lomandra effusa remained classified as critically endangered.