Saw sedge, Rough saw-sedge, Round sawsedge
Gahnia aspera
Tufting or tussock plant sedge to 80cm tall. The black/brown flower spikes with red seeds are very showy. Attracts butterflies, small birds and frogs.
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.
Type of Plant
Tufted Perennial
Size
80cm tall x 1m spread
Flower Structure
Spike shaped flowerheads
Flower Colour
Cream, Brown
Flowers When?
Summer, Spring
Leaves
Sharp edges ribbon leaves
Light Levels
Full Sun, Light Shade, Part Shade
Soil Types
Acid to neutral sandy, Loam, Clay loam, Sandy, Moist some of the time, Salt tolerate, Light forest soil, Sandy loam
Soil Moisture
Well Drained, Moist some of the time
Garden Use
Garden Filler, Feature, Mass plantings
Care
Low maintanance
Special Features
erosion control, fast growing, Handls stong winds
Attracts
Bees, Butterflies, Other Insects, Frogs
Family
Cyperaceae
Cultivars, Hybrids, Varieties
History, meaning of the name
Specific name aspera is the Latin adjective asper ‘rough’.
Distribution
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.