Red-fruit Saw-sedge, Ginger nut sedge
Gahnia sieberiana

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A sedge or herb. It forms clumps and keeps growing from year to year. The stalks are 3 m long. They are slender. The leaves are 2 m long by 2 cm wide. They are flattened but often rolled and rough and have a channel on the upper surface. The flowering stalks are 60 cm long. The branches spread. There is a bract near each branch. The flower stalks are pale brown. There are many small spikelets. The flowers are cream. The nut is about 0.4 cm across. They are red-brown and shiny.

There are about 30-40 Gahnia species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It also grows in the tropics. It grows in a range of places and in different soils. The soils should be moist. It can withstand dry periods, once established. It can tolerate heavy shade and grow in full sun. It is hardy to frost and can tolerate waterlogging. It suits hardiness zones 8-9. Tasmanian Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), New Caledonia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The seeds are pounded into flour and eaten. The leaf bases are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaf base, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate irregularly.

Its other names

Local names

Tall saw-sedge

Synonyms

Gahnia clarkei Benl; and others