Gahnia aspera
Encyclopedia
Gahnia aspera known as the Rough Saw-sedge is a tussock forming perennial plant, often seen in moist situations. The long strap like leaves grow to 80 cm long.
Originally described by botanist Robert Brown
as Lampocarya aspera in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, it was placed in its current genus by German botanist Curt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel in 1825. Its specific name aspera is the latin
adjective asper "rough".
Gahnia aspera grows as a strappy tussock 0.5–1 m (2–3 ft) high by 0.5-1.5 m across, with leaves to 80 cm (32 in) long. The underside of the leaves and leaf edges are sharp and can easily cut human skin.
The creamy flowers grow in spikes from the centre of the plant and appear from October to January. They are followed by shiny red or red-brown round nuts, which measure 4.5 to 6.0 mm long, 2.5 to 4.0 mm in diameter.
It is found in a variety of situations, from rainforest
to drier inland areas such as Rankins Springs
and the Pilliga Scrub
district in New South Wales
. Also seen in Queensland
, Malaysia, New Guinea
and islands in the Pacific.
The caterpillars of the Spotted Sedge-skipper (Hesperilla ornata
), Two-spotted Sedge-skipper (Hesperilla malindeva
), and Flame Sedge-skipper (Hesperilla idothea
) feed on the leaves.
Gahnia aspera is relatively easy to grow and benefits from a moist position in the garden for best foliage. It grows in semi-shade or some sun and has horticultural appeal in its foliage and nuts, but is not widely grown as propagation by seed is difficult. It also serves as shelter in the garden for small birds such as the Superb Fairywren.
The seeds were used by Australian aborigines to make a kind of flour.
Originally described by botanist Robert Brown
Robert Brown (botanist)
Robert Brown was a Scottish botanist and palaeobotanist who made important contributions to botany largely through his pioneering use of the microscope...
as Lampocarya aspera in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, it was placed in its current genus by German botanist Curt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel in 1825. Its specific name aspera is the latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
adjective asper "rough".
Gahnia aspera grows as a strappy tussock 0.5–1 m (2–3 ft) high by 0.5-1.5 m across, with leaves to 80 cm (32 in) long. The underside of the leaves and leaf edges are sharp and can easily cut human skin.
The creamy flowers grow in spikes from the centre of the plant and appear from October to January. They are followed by shiny red or red-brown round nuts, which measure 4.5 to 6.0 mm long, 2.5 to 4.0 mm in diameter.
It is found in a variety of situations, from rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
to drier inland areas such as Rankins Springs
Rankins Springs, New South Wales
Rankins Springs is a small town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. It is in Carrathool Shire Council and on the Mid-Western Highway...
and the Pilliga Scrub
Pilliga forest
The State Forests of The Pilliga, commonly known as the Pilliga Scrub , constitute some 3000 km2 of semi-arid woodland in temperate north-central New South Wales, Australia...
district in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. Also seen in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Malaysia, New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
and islands in the Pacific.
The caterpillars of the Spotted Sedge-skipper (Hesperilla ornata
Hesperilla ornata
The Spotted Skipper or Spotted Sedge-skipper is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family. It is found along the non-tropical eastern seaboard of mainland Australia and in the adjacent mountain ranges....
), Two-spotted Sedge-skipper (Hesperilla malindeva
Hesperilla malindeva
The Malindeva Skipper or Two-spotted Sedge-skipper is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family. It is found in New South Wales and Queensland.The wingspan is about 30 mm....
), and Flame Sedge-skipper (Hesperilla idothea
Hesperilla idothea
The Flame Sedge-skipper is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family. It is found in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.The wingspan is about 40 mm....
) feed on the leaves.
Gahnia aspera is relatively easy to grow and benefits from a moist position in the garden for best foliage. It grows in semi-shade or some sun and has horticultural appeal in its foliage and nuts, but is not widely grown as propagation by seed is difficult. It also serves as shelter in the garden for small birds such as the Superb Fairywren.
The seeds were used by Australian aborigines to make a kind of flour.