Red-fruit Saw-sedge, Saw-leaf sedge
Gahnia aspera

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A tufted sedge. It forms clumps and keeps growing from year to year. It grows 0.5-1 m high and spreads 0.5-1.5 m wide. The stems are slender. The leaves are 80 cm long and narrow. They are rough on the underside and have a channel on top. The flowering stalk is long and erect. The seed heads are in dense spikes at the ends of the stalks. It has dark brown seed heads. The seeds turn orange as they ripen and remain attached on a thread for a time. The nut is about 0.5 cm across. These seeds are edible.

There are about 30-40 Gahnia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows along creek banks. It needs moist soils. The plants are tolerant to frost. It also grows in coastal rocky areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, England, Europe, Fiji, Malesia, New Caledonia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Polynesia

How it is used for food

The seeds are crushed and used for flour.

Edible parts

Leaf base, seeds

How it is grown

Plants grow from seeds. Seeds are hard to germinate. Plants can also be grown by dividing the clump but this also is not easy.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Lamprocarya aspera R.Br.; Lamprocarya affinis sensu Seem.; Gahnia stokesii F. Br.;