Gahnia howeana R.O.Gardner APNI* Description: Strong, tussocky perennial sedge. Culms stout, smooth, 1–2 m tall.
Leaves about as long as culm, 1–2 m long, c. 1 cm wide at base.
Inflorescence paniculate, more or less drooping, 30–40 cm long. Spikelets very numerous, 6–8 mm long, 2–3 mm diam., chestnut brown. Lower 3–4 glumes sterile, 6–7 mm long; upper 2–3 glumes fertile, 4–5 mm long, thinner, smaller. Stamens 4; filaments elongating to c. 1 cm. Style 3–4-fid.
Nut fusiform, 4–5 mm long, yellow or light brown, shining; base of style often persistent but not thickened.
Distribution and occurrence: Endemic to Lord Howe Island; in damp patches in low forest on rocky slopes and summits of Mts Gower and Lidgbird.
NSW subdivisions: LHI
Formerly identified as Gahnia xanthocarpa, which is now regarded as endemic to New Zealand.
Text by KL Wilson (2003); PS Green in Fl Australia vol 49 (1994); RO Gardener (1997)
Taxon concept: R Gardner in New Zealand J Botany 35: 155 (1997)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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