Gahnia lanigera explained

Gahnia lanigera, also known as the black grass saw-sedge, desert saw-sedge or little saw-sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family that is found in southern Australia. The specific epithet lanigera means 'woolly'.

Description

The plant is a rhizomatous, tufted perennial sedge growing up to 45 cm high and 2 m wide, with stiff, narrow, sharp-pointed leaves. The flowers are brown.[1] [2] It is a favoured food plant of Antipodia atralba, the black and white skipper butterfly.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in arid parts of southern Western Australia, South Australia, north-western Victoria and western New South Wales where it is found on sandy soils in mallee woodland and heathland, as well as on clayey or granitic loams and coastal dunes.[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gahnia lanigera (R.Br.) Benth. Desert Saw-sedge. . 12 Jan 2021. VicFlora. Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation Victoria. 31 March 2021.
  2. Web site: Gahnia lanigera (R.Br.) Benth. Little Sedge. Grazyna Paczkowska . 18 November 1993. FloraBase. Western Australian Herbarium. 31 March 2021.
  3. Web site: black grass saw-sedge. . 2021. Butterfly Conservation SA Inc.. 31 March 2021.