Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Cyperaceae Juss.
Genus
Gahnia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Gahnia procera J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (1776)
Vernacular Name(s):
giant sedge
 Description

Stout robust tufts from a short rootstock. Culms (30)–45–80–(120) cm. × 2–4 mm. Lvs = or > culms, very and densely crowded at base of culm; sheaths dull brown, up to 18 cm. long; lamina narrow-linear, glab. abaxially, margins strongly involute when dry, smooth at the base, scabrid towards the tip. Panicle 20–60 × 2.5–5 cm., ± drooping, branchlets often in ± distant clusters. Spikelets 1- or very rarely 2-fld, 9–14 mm. long, on slender peduncles or ± sessile. Glumes 4–5, purple-black, the 2–3 outer glumes empty, lanceolate with a long scabrid awn, the inner 1–2 shorter, deeply concave. Stamens 4–6. Style-branches 4–(5). Nut 5–6.5 × 2–2.5 mm., ovoid to elliptic-ovoid, brownish orange, or rarely cream, smooth and shining, occ. slightly grooved, tip darker, obtuse, rarely scaberulous, wider than the short persistent stylebase; endocarp distinctly transversely grooved within.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.

 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]