Gahnia (sawsedge, saw-sedge) is a genus of sedges native to China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand and a number of Pacific Islands.[1][2][3][4] The common name is due to the toothed margins.[4] It often forms tussocks.

Gahnia
Gahnia gahniiformis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Gahnia
J.R. & G.Forst
Synonyms[1]
  • Lampocarya R.Br.
  • Epiandria C.Presl
  • Didymonema C.Presl
  • Melachne Schrad. ex Schult. & Schult.f. in J.J.Roemer & J.A.Schultes
  • Psittacoschoenus Nees in J.G.C.Lehmann

Species edit

Accepted species:[1]

Conservation edit

The species Gahnia lanaiensis has been known as a rare endemic plant from the Hawaiian island of Lanai and it was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States. In 2010, however, research suggested that the Lanai plants are actually Gahnia lacera introduced from New Zealand in the early 20th century.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ Flora of China, Vol. 23 Page 257, 黑莎草属 hei suo cao shu, Gahnia J. R. Forster & G. Forster, Char. Gen. Pl. 26. 1775.
  3. ^ Govaerts, R. & Simpson, D.A. (2007). World Checklist of Cyperaceae. Sedges: 1-765. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  4. ^ a b Darke, Rick (2007). The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes. Timber Press. p. 484. ISBN 978-0-88192-817-4.
  5. ^ "Cherry Lake and Truganina Swamp" (PDF). Infostream. Melbourne Water. November 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
  6. ^ "Gahnia trifida Labill". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  7. ^ Koyama, T. (2010). On the identity of Gahnia lanaiensis O. Deg., I. Deg. & J. Kern (Cyperaceae) of Hawai‘i. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2008 Evenhuis, N. L. and L. G. Eldredge, Eds. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 107: 29–32.