Scleria richardsiae E.A.Rob.

J. Browning, K.D. Gordon-Gray†, M. Lock, H. Beentje, K. Vollesen, K. Bauters, C. Archer, I. Larridon, M. Xanthos, P. Vorster, J. Bruhl, K. Wilson and X. Zhang (2020). Flora Zambesiaca Volume: 14: Cyperaceae. M.Á. García, J.R. Timberlake (Eds). Kew Publish

Type

Zambia, Nyika Plateau, near rest house, 13.iii.1961, Robinson 4473 (K holotype, EA, M, MTJB, SRGH).

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb, 0.6–1 m tall with rhizome formed from a knotty mass of hard fleshy (when fresh) stem-bases each c. 3 mm thick; stems slender, weakly erect, 60–100 cm tall

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 1(2) mm wide, glabrous or sparsely hairy

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a simple condensed to very lax panicle 9–20 cm long, branches to 6 cm long; glomerules 1–2 cm apart, more crowded towards apex, each with 2–4, 4–5 mm long spikelets; axes often with long hairs

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes glabrous or minutely hairy, dark reddish brown to blackish

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets ovoid, 1.4–1.8 × c. 1 mm wide, lightly to strongly trabeculate-reticulate, transversely wrinkled or pitted, sometimes with raised cubic crystal-like tubercles, often cuspidate, grey or whitish with darker interangular stripes.

Distribution

Zambia, Malawi. Also in Tanzania. Grassy upland streamsides; 2000–2500 m.

Conservation

A montane species of restricted distribution, but probably not threatened.

Note

A delicate upland species (Robinson regarded it as the only truly montane species in Africa); the strongly patterned nutlets are distinctive.

Etymology

The specific name commemorates Mary Richards (1885−1977), a prolific collector of plants in Zambia and Tanzania.

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

Cyperaceae, K Hoenselaar, B. Verdcourt & H. Beentje. Hypolytrum, D Simpson. Fuirena, M Muasya. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2010

Type

Type: Zambia, Nyika Plateau, near rest house, Robinson 4473 (K!, holo.; EA, M, MTJB, SRGH, iso.)

Morphology General Habit

Perennial 0.6–1 m tall with rhizome formed from a knotty mass of hard fleshy (when fresh) stem-bases each ± 3 mm thick.

Morphology Roots

Roots white and red.

Morphology Stem

Stems slender, weakly erect

Morphology Leaves

Leaves ± 1(–2) mm wide, glabrous or sparsely hairy

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a simple condensed to very lax panicle 9–20 cm long, the branches up to 6 cm long; glomerules 1–2 cm apart more crowded towards the apex, with 2–4 spikelets, each 4–5 mm long; axes often with long hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes dark reddish brown to blackish, glabrous or minutely hairy

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets grey or whitish with darker interangular stripes, ovoid, 1.4–1.8 mm long, ± 1 mm wide, lightly to strongly trabeculate-reticulate, transversely wrinkled or pitted, or sometimes with raised cubic crystal-like tubercles, often cuspidate.

Ecology

Grassy stream-sides in woodland; 1700–2400 m NOTE. One of the few submontane species.

Distribution

Range: Zambia, Malawi Flora districts: T4 T7