Gahnia melanocarpa

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information:

Wikipedia links:      Angiosperms  > Monocots >  Poales > Cyperaceae > Gahnia  melanocarpa

Other links:

Plant  information

Common name:               Black Fruit Saw-sedge

Conservation status:   . . .

Etymology:   

• The specific epithet melanocarpa translates from the Greek meaning "black fruit"

Flowers:                  

• The flowers grow in spikes from the centre of the plant and appear in spring and summer

Fruit:                         

• Flowers are followed by shiny dark brown to black nuts, which measure 2.5 to 3.5 mm long and 1.5 to 2 mm in diameter

Leaves:         

• The leaf edges are sharp and can easily cut human skin

• The strap-like leaves are around 10 mm wide

Stem & branches: 

Roots:         

Habit:        

• A tussock forming perennial plant 

• Grows to 2 m high

Habitat:   

• Often found in the wetter forests or in rainforest margins

• it is common on the coast but also seen in the tablelands

Distribution:                  

•  Eastern Australia

Additional notes:     

• The species first appeared in scientific literature in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae in 1810, authored by Robert Brown.

Sources of information:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gahnia (2023)