Gahnia melanocarpa (Black-fruit Saw-sedge)

Gahnia melanocarpa is a robust, tufted perennial sedge native to Australia, commonly found in heathlands, woodlands, and damp coastal areas. It forms dense clumps with stout culms reaching 80–120 cm high and flat, spreading leaves that are scabrous along the margins, giving the plant a coarse texture. The leaves typically extend beyond the inflorescence and emerge from reddish-brown, dull sheaths.

Its long, narrow inflorescences are erect to ascending, 30–45 cm in length, with 7–10 nodes, producing single-flowered spikelets. The spikelets are subtended by 4–5 glumes, with upper glumes shorter and broader, while the lower glumes have long-mucronate apices. Flowers have 3–4 stamens with prominent anthers, and the style is trifid.

The plant produces dark brown to black ovoid or obovoid nuts, 2.5–3.5 mm long and 1.5–2 mm wide, which are shiny and reticulate to granulate in texture. Gahnia melanocarpa is an excellent species for stabilizing soils, providing habitat for wildlife, and adding dramatic architectural foliage to native gardens.