| Gahnia filum | |
|---|---|
| Gahnia filum at Cherry Lake Altona, Victoria | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Gahnia |
| Species: | G. filum |
| Binomial name | |
| Gahnia filum (Labill.) F.Muell. [1] |
|
Gahnia filum (Chaffy Saw-sedge) is a tussock-forming perennial in the family Cyperaceae, endemic to Australia. It grows to between 60 and 110 cm in height.[2]
The species occurs in coastal salt marsh in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.[2] [3]
The caterpillar of the Altona Skipper butterfly uses this species for shelter during daylight hours, binding the leaves with silk. By night it feeds on the grass.[4]