Tasmanian Aborigines placed a high value on this humble, hardy perennial plant – widespread in open forests and heathlands in all eastern states and South Australia. Besides being a rich source for food, medicine and a wide variety of practical uses, it also indicated a good place to find small animals for eating.

The leaves provided the Aborigines with flexible strands for mats, dillies (a dilly is a bag or basket), twine, nets, necklaces and armbands, and the tender leaf bases were eaten. The flowers made a tasty nectar drink and the seeds – which stay on the plant most of the year – were ground into flour. The roots were used for treating insect stings and the leaves for making bandages.

Early Europeans had no use for it, although today it is a popular garden plant. Sagg has separate male and female plants. Its roots are good for binding soil.