Chaffy Saw Sedge

Scientific Name: Gahnia filum

Description: Chaffy Saw Sedge is a tall, perennial tussock that forms dense swathes in coastal saltmarsh. The leaves have fine saw toothed edges making the plant sharp and bristly. The cream flowers are clustered along spikelets before forming into pale brown nuts.

This dominant sedge provides coverage for a host of species with many plants occupying the inter-tussock spaces, insects and spiders domicile within the foliage and birds feeding on the seed.

Plant form: Grasses and allies
Where to find: Estuary, Saltmarsh
Foliage: leaves are long, strap-shaped and in-rolled.
Flower: Flowers are cream
Flowering: September – January