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Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
Phylum:	Tracheophyta
(unranked):	Monocots
Class:	Magnoliopsid
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Cyperaceae
Genus:	Gahnia
Species:	G. grandis
Binomial name
Gahnia grandis (Labill.) S.T.Blake.
Synonyms
Scleria grandis Labill.

Gahnia grandis is a tussock forming perennial plant found in southeastern Australia and Tasmania.

Originally described by botanist Jacques Labillardière as Scleria grandis in 1800, it was placed in its current genus by S. T. Blake in 1969. In Tasmania widely commonly perceptible genus is Ghania with other seven native species. Six of these species are very large, erect graminoids with razor  like sharp edged leaves which is Gahnia Grandis also commonly known as cutting grass or Brickmakers sedge. 

Description

Gahnia Grandis is widely noticeable tussock and perennial herb present in majority of Tasmania. Cutting grass is a tall around size of 1-3 m x 2-3, robust and tussock-forming sedge. The flowering stems are stout, often sprawling before becoming erect. Features of leaves are flat, sheathing, channeled roughly with spreading of leaves to 2.5 long, narrow, spiral shape of stem, margins are sharp with brown color of sheaths. The flower-heads emerging from a long tangled steam with weeping leaves. The stems with clums are stout, 1-3 m high and about 2-10 mm in diameter with often sprawl from base for 1-2m. Sometimes flower can be dropping with spikes 50-100 cm long, often 1-sided, lower side with presences of bracts much shorter than upper. The flower-heads which are pinnacle like shape which can be erect or slightly spreads, 50-100 cm long with varying number of 8-10 nodes. The flowers are situated on structures called spikelet. Each spikelet is 2-flowered where upper flower is bisexual while the lower flower is sterile or male. The long, narrow leafy blades are very sharp, rough to touch, flat, sand paper like texture, spreading and can be of same size stems which can easily cut into flesh. A small, narrow, papery texture, leaf-like ligule is joined at the junction of leaf blade with leaf sheath. The leaf sheathe are brown in color with shiny patches. Gahnia grandis is drought tolerant, full sun or shade and moderately frost tolerant 25F [-4 C]. It prefers regular watering and can be grown on well drained and moist soil.

The lowest glums are in 8-12 number which are much shorter compare to above and also irregularly toothed at erose also called margin which is brown to dark grey-brown in color and in color and in texture to touch is slightly rough. The glums at the upper part of the plant have a pointed to bluntly rounded apex. The creamed color flowers possess 4-5 stamens with 2-3 mm long anthers. The seeds resembles to nut which is oblong to narrow with oval in shape have smooth which is about 3.0-4.5 mm long,1.2-1.9 mm in diameter and reddish dark brown to oranges brown in color.

Habitat and distribution

Cutting grass of Southern Tasmania (Photography by Jainee Bhalodi-University of Tasmania,School of Plant Science)

Origin of Gahnia Grandis was from Southern Australia. Gahnia is a very commonly observed species in Tasmania. Seven species are native in Tasmania. Such species are very commonly found in wet forest and more frequently observed especially after fire.  Such species are also observed on coastal areas and sometimes in dry woodland.one of the species called G.rodwayi which is small resembles to grass like herb of dry forests in South-east of Tasmania. Generally the flowering time of this species is during October to January. This species grows in moist soil besides water streams in gullies of shady forest and dappled to semi shade. About 40 species are found in Australia region, Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Rough texture on surface of Gahnia Grandis due growth of rough hairs.(Photography by Jainee Bhalodi-University of Tasmania,School of Plant Science)

Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania are hot spot in regards to the species .The Bioregion such as Gippsland plain, Wilsons Promontory and Highlands-Southern Fall have occurrence states of this species as present with native establishment.From past records in Victoria it is found only at two possible sites one is Gembrook-Beenak area and second the northern part of Wilsons promontory.

Seeds of Gahnia Grandis  after maturation (Photography by Jainee Bhalodi - University of Tasmania,School of Plant Science)

In Tasmania Gahnia Grandis is commonly widespread in all regions except the midlands and the northeast, which are poorly drained soil type from sea-level to the mountain. It can also be found on margins of wetlands, within riparian areas and button grass heaths, on margins of forest and along the road cuttings and ditches.

Uses and application

Cutting grass has been traditionally used by indigenous people and Aboriginal Islander in basket weaving, rope making. The nuts were continuously ponded and ground into flour for making of bread while young bases can be eaten from plants growing in wetter locations. The seed heads are proven to be attractive contrast which can be used in manufacturing ornament and decorative items. Gahnia species are very useful and can be used in many different aspects. Gahnia Grandis was used by Aboriginal people by utilizing nuts as food source, they were using this seeds in preparation of the breads and other food preparation. This species can be used for bid attracting and butterfly attracting.It provides safe habitat for nesting for birds, butterfly, caterpillar and other small insects and animals. It is habitat of threatened species like Eastern barred bandicoots which have distinctive stripes on its back.During late 2007 ,with the support funding from the world wildlife fund, the Hobart city council, Threatened species Network and parks and other wildlife service’s held various kinds of workshops and awareness program for saving one of the most special animals ‘Eastern barred bandicoots’ by saving vegetation od Gahnia Grandis. {PDF-28 autumn}Gahnia Grandis is tolerant to damp soils, drought tolerant, full sun or shade tolerant and moderately frost tolerant 25F [-4 C] so it can be utilized in various aspects. It is also planted to improve soil fertility because Gahnia Grandis help in stopping of soil erosion.

This species can be planted on the sideways of roads and in surrounding of farm land as natural protective boundaries from marsupial, natural habitat for insects.  After drying of it can be used as fire fuel. It can be also utilized in manufacturing wooden art crafts, wooden furniture, baskets, ornaments, decorative art works and furniture items. It can be used as in freshly decorative in flower pots which gives nice ambiance to any place. It can be planted in home gardens and backyard for great look in house and hotels. In some water logged places it grows than its underground roots are eaten.

Confusing species

Many of the other Gahnia species looks very similar to Gahnia Grandis also called cutting grass but they can be differentiated by observing differences in seed heads structure and floral parts.

Ecology

Cutting grass is very hard perennial grass species with woody rhizomes which forms very big tussocks. Most of the year it is usually found in moist soil and often subject to periodic inundation. Once it’s established cutting grass can tolerate dry climatic conditions and windy situations. The flowering season of cutting grass is from spring through summer. The maturity of seeds can be predicted by its color of flower head, bright brown color of fruit indicates immature fruit while turning black at maturity and ready to use in food preparation.

Number of species of cyperace family including cutting grass are considered as important food sources and safe habitat for native birds, insects such as currawong, native moths and butterflies such as choastola skipper and its scientific name is Antipoda choatola leucophaea. During night choastola skipper feeds on Gahnia radula and plays vital role in pollination and many other insects also feeds exclusively on Gahnia species.

Cutting grass solely dependent on birds such as the currawong for seed dispersal and germination. This birds eats red flashy fruits then regurgitates the partially digested hard inner nut on ground, in this manner it plays important role for seed dispersal. Based on one hypothesis bird’s stomach acid weakens tough seed coat which allows easier germination. Cutting grass also considered as ideal habitat for rare and threatened burnie burrowing crayfish (Engaeus yabbimunna). Cutting grass is resistant to phytophthora cinnamomi but highly flammable.

Perspective for cultivation

There is low potential for cultivation of cutting grass because this plant is probably not highly desirable for horticulture due to its sharp cutting long leaves and untidy appearance. However it’s a brilliant species for rehabilitation and vegetation regrowth due to its hardiness and soil holding properties which helps in prevention of soil erosion.

Generally, Gahnia species can be proven difficult in regards to propagation. The best way to propagate cutting grass is by germination of seeds, due to limitations with division and transplantation of species. Due to seed dormancy, the seed will germinate after 12 months it’s collected. The easy way to collet seeds is by chopping off the seed-heads off from base with a pair of secateurs.  To extract best seeds is by placing seed heads on groundsheet and let them dry thoroughly for few days. To dislodge seed thrashing may be needed. Dry storing is advised to conserve seeds for longer shelf life.