Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Cyperaceae Juss.
Genus
Gahnia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Gahnia lacera (A.Rich.) Steud. (1855)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Lampocarya lacera A.Rich., Essai Fl. Nouv.-Zél., 109 (1832)
Vernacular Name(s):
cutty grass; Tarangarara; Tatangi; Toetoe kiwi; Toetoe mātā; Toetoe ngaungau; Toetoe tara-ngārara
 Description

Thick, yellowish green tufts. Rhizome 5–8 mm. diam., very hard and woody. Culms 60–150 cm. × 2–4 mm., up to 6 mm. wide at base. Lvs , almost all cauline and = or > culms; lamina up to 9 mm. wide, flat or involute, glab. abaxially, margins scabrid; sheaths all closely appressed to and enclosing base of culm, slightly rough above, becoming dark brown to almost black, and smooth and shining towards the node. Panicle 20–40 × 3–6 cm., rigid, us. erect, many-fld, light brown, branchlets 2–7–(13) cm. long, often in dense, ± distant clusters along the axis of the panicle. Spikelets 1-fld. c. 8 mm. long, alternate on the branchlets, sessile or shortly stalked. Glumes 4–5; the outer 2–3 light red-brown; inner glumes pale cream, with a red lacerate tip. Stamens 4. Style-branches 3. Nut 3.5–4.5 mm. long, slightly < 2 mm. diam., oblong-ellipsoid or oblong-obovoid, black, shining, with a minute apiculate tip; endocarp obscurely transversely striate within.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Jul.–Oct.

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Richard, A. 1832: Essai d'une Flore de la Nouvelle Zélande. In: Dumont d'Urville, J. Voyage de découvertes de l'Astrolabe. Botanique. Tastu, Paris.