Gymnostachys anceps (Settler's Flax)

Gymnostachys anceps(cultivated, labelled) Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

Photograph by Melburnian. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

SETTLER'S FLAX FACTS

distribution map showing range of Gymnostachys anceps in Australia

Map is from The Atlas of Living Australia web site, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License

Common Name
Settler's Flax

Other Names
Settler's Twine, Boorgay, Caterpillar Flower

Description
Gymnostachys is a plant in the Araceae family. The only species in the family is Gymnostachys anceps. It is a strappy leaved plant with spikes of blue and white flowers. Fibres from Settler's Flax were used by Aboriginal people to make fishing line.

Habitat
rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest

Distribution
New South Wales and Queensland

Growth Characteristics
Height: to 2m
Classification

Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Alismatales
Family:	Araceae
Genus:	Gymnostachys
Species:	anceps
Common Name:	Settler's Flax