Razor grass / Gahnia grass

Botanical name: Gahnia clarkei
Common names: Razor grass or Saw sedge
Distribution: I have seen this growing in Tasmania where it sliced my hand up because I mistook it for Lomandra. I've also seen it growing throughout South Australia and all the way up to Cairns in Far North Queensland. The book I reference says it only occurs from Bundaberg to South Australia and excludes Tasmania; However, the Les Hiddins book says that Gahnia grass grows all the way up to the Daintree rainforest.
Habitat: moist gullies, edge of swamps, damp shady places
Appearance: A clumping grass with leaves varying between 1.5-3m in length depending on growing conditions. Leaves are 'RAZOR-sharp' to be careful when handling and only remove the dried brown leaves for weaving and rope making.
Long strappy leaves.
Uses: I've roasted (till brown) the seeds, then ground them to add to other types of flour as a filler to make other grains feed more people. Seeds are Gluten free.
Leaves are good for weaving though should be only gathered when dry and brown to avoid ripping your hands open.
The leaf bases can also be eaten like a small pea.
The leaf margins can be used as small knives, they are seriously sharp.
References: Page 322-333, Field Guide to Useful Native Plants from Temperate Australia, by J.M. Caton and R.J. Hardwick, ISBN: 978-1-922134-60-8
and
Page 11, Bush Tucker Field Guide by (The Great) Les Hiddins, ISBN: 1-74117-028-1

[@valleycoastlawns]

Cheers Brother, got a bunch with me now. Strictly for flour or can you eat them raw? I don't see why not

[@Ilovethebush]

Hi Valley Coast Lawns.
You cannot eat Ghania Grass raw. The husk is not edible and will break your teeth.

[@valleycoastlawns]

@@Ilovethebush thank you