cutting-grass

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


Cladium psittacorum,Labill., N.O. Cyperaceae. It grows very long narrowblades whose thin rigid edge will readily cut flesh ifincautiously handled; it is often called Sword-grass.

1858. T. McCombie `History of Victoria,' vol. i. p. 8:

«Long grass, known as cutting-grass between four and five feethigh, the blade an inch and a half broad, the edges exquisitelysharp.»

1891. W. Tilley, `Wild West of Tasmania,' p. 42:

«Travelling would be almost impossible but for the buttonrush and cutting grass, which grow in big tussocks out ofthe surrounding bog.»

1894. `The Age,' Oct. 19, p. 5, col. 8:

«`Cutting grass' is the technical term for a hard, tough grassabout eight or ten inches high, three-edged like a bayonet,which stock cannot eat because in their efforts to bite it offit cuts their mouths.»

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