Thoracostachyum sumatranum (Miq.) Kurz

Kurz, W.S. (1869) Journal Asiatic Society Bengal 38: 75.

Saw sedge; Saw grass

Flowers and fruits as a shrub about 1-2 m tall.

Leaf blades more than 100 cm long and about 1.5-2 cm wide, margins armed with numerous small silicified teeth which can cut the skin. Leaf apex aristate, the tip about 10 cm long, toothed on the margin and +/- 3-sided. Leaf blade channelled on the upper surface.

Inflorescence about 6 x 10 cm, terminal on a peduncle about 70 cm long. Inflorescence subtended by bracts of which the lowest one is the largest and is pale towards the base and aristate at the apex. Flowers very small, densely packed, each subtended by a bract. Perianth about 3 mm long. Staminal filaments about 0.5 mm long, anthers about 1.5-2 mm long. Style about 1.5-2 mm long. Stigmas three, papillose.

Features not available.

Features not available.

Occurs in NT, CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range very small, from near sea level to 20 m. Grows in swampy rain forest. Also occurs in Malesia.