Common name: Rough Saw-sedge
Gahnia aspera (R.Br.) Spreng. APNI* 
Description: Tufted perennial.
Culms 15–65 cm high, 2–4 mm diam.
Leaves erect to spreading, scabrous at least near apex, longer than inflorescence, ± flat; ligule narrow, papery; sheaths dark brown, pinkish above, shining or dull. Inflorescence erect, narrow, with spikelets in discrete, dense, globose clusters, 10–35 cm long, with 5–10 nodes. Spikelets 1-flowered. Glumes 6–8, 3 uppermost glumes much shorter, red-brown to dark brown, scaberulous to glabrous, lower glumes with aristate or acuminate apex, upper obtuse. Stamens 4–6; anthers 0.8–1.3 mm long (including apical appendage 0.1–0.2 mm long). Style 3-fid.
Nut globose to broad-ovoid, ± terete, 4.5–6.0 mm long, 2.5–4.0 mm diam., isodiametrically reticulate, shining, dark red-brown.
Flowering: spring.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread, N from Merimbula on the coast; extending inland to Pilliga, Dubbo and Rankin Springs areas. Also in Qld, Malesia and Polynesia. Grows in drier situations in rainforest, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST, NWS, CWS, NWP, SWP
Other Australian states: Qld
Text by K. L. Wilson (1993); edited KL Wilson (Sept 2024)
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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