Common name: red-fruit saw-sedge
Gahnia sieberiana Kunth APNI* Synonyms: Gahnia tetragonocarpa Boeckeler APNI*
Gahnia sieberana APNI*
Gahnia breviaristata Benl APNI*
Description: Tall, tussock-forming perennial. Culms 100–200 cm high, 5–12 mm diam.
Leaves flat, recurved, scabrous, as long as culm; ligule narrow, papery; sheaths brown to black, dull.
Inflorescence big, erect, 30–100 cm long, with 12–30 nodes. Spikelets 2-flowered. Glumes 5–8, the uppermost 1 or 2 glumes much shorter, brown to black, glabrous or scaberulous, with acute to mucronate apex. Stamens 3 or 4; anthers 2.3–3 mm long excluding apical appendage 0.3–0.5 mm long. Style 3-fid.
Nut ovoid to ellipsoid, trigonous or obtusely 4-angled, 2.5–4.0 mm long, 1.5–2.0 mm diam., smooth and reticulate or granulate, shining, red to orange.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in damp places and on drier hillsides in woodland, usually on sand or silt; widespread.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. S.A.
A variable and widespread species that may include more than one taxon.
Text by K. L. Wilson
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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