Schoenoplectiella muricinux (C.B.Clarke) J.R.Starr

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/185369/8397790

Conservation

LC - least concern

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

South Africa, Orange Free State, iv.1883, Buchanan 163 (K syntype); Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, xii.1902, Eyles 1202 (K lectotype, P, SRGH), lectotypified by Browning (S. African J. Bot. 57: 249, 1991).

Morphology General Habit

Perennial; rhizome abbreviated, woody, 3–4 mm wide; roots numerous

Morphology Culms

Culms 20–60 cm long, 1.5–3.6 mm thick, somewhat terete, glabrous

Morphology Leaves

Leaves reduced to 2–3 sheaths, obliquely truncate at top, with a scabrid-margined reduced leaf blade 1–20 mm long; mouth of uppermost leaf sheath at origin of reduced leaf blade 1.25–2.5 mm across, broad hyaline margin with tendency to strip forming a ladder around culm; ligule 1–1.8 mm high

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a pseudolateral head or a contracted anthela of clusters of congested spikelets, on 1–5 slender, unequal scabridulous branches 50 mm (more commonly 10–20 mm) long, overtopped by a 80–100 mm tapering bract appearing as continuation of culm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets sessile, 4–8 × 2–3 mm, shortly conical, many-flowered

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Lower glumes and bracts usually with spine-like projections distally on keels and mucros Glumes all fertile, 1.8–2.6 × 1.5–2.3 mm, ovate, convex, glabrous, pale whitish- yellow, frequently green along keel, flanked by dark brown to blackish inverted V, margins narrow, transparent, apex acute to mucronate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style linear, 3-branched

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet 1.2–1.6 (from apex of beak to nutlet base) × 0.9–1.2 mm, ovoid to obovoid, trigonous with short beak, shining black at maturity, surface markedly transversely wavy (rugose), 12–16 waves extending over nutlet shoulders; markings visible on immature nutlets.

Distribution

Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Also in D.R. Congo, Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa (Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu- Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West) and Swaziland.

Ecology

Wet grassland, in black clay soils of dambos and edges of shallow dams; 800–1600 m.

Conservation

Widespread; not threatened.

Recognition

Plants from Botswana tend to be taller with paler inflorescences and more compressible culms than those with a more easterly distribution into Zimbabwe.

Note

Schoenoplectus muricinux and S. muriculatus can be easily confused; the differences are summarised under the latter species. There is also confusion with S. confusus and S. corymbosus. Examination of nutlets may clarify distinctions.