Gahnia javanica Moritzi

Stems 75-120 cm by 3-8 mm. Leaves as long as or longer than the stem, 1-1½ cm wide at the base, with inrolled scabrous margins; sheaths long, shining blackish-brown. Inflorescence erect, rather to very dense, (10-)20-50 by 4-7 cm, consisting of several approximate fascicles of secondary panicles; primary branches usually many (up to 50) together, in poor specimens 1-2 together, setaceous, scabrid, unequal in length, shortly exserted from the sheath, often nodding at the top, up to 8(-12) cm long; branchlets short. Bracts overtopping the inflorescence. Spikelets approximate, shortly peduncled, oblong, finally almost obovate, (3-)5-7 mm long, 1-flowered. Glumes 5-6, rigid, the lower 3-4 lanceolate from an ovate base, castaneous to black, more or less distinctly awned, the upper 2 shorter, broadly oblong, ciliolate on the margins towards the apex, obtusish. Stamens 3-4; filaments strongly elongated after anthesis, finally c.
 long and their tips included in the apex of the longest sterile glume. Nut oblong, attenuate at both ends, (2-)3½-5 by 1-1½ mm, trigonous, often slightly curved, apiculate, ultimately shining brown. Endocarp not grooved. Fixing-mechanism.

Forming dense, often large tussocks in open heaths, mossy forest, shrubberies and thickets, in dry alpine grassland, on mountain ridges and on stony volcanic soil near craters and solfataras, 1200-3560 m.