Cyperus turrillii Kük.

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: Angola, Benguella, country of the Ganguellas and Ambuellas, Gossweiler 3723 (B, BM!, K!, syn.); Zimbabwe, Wilde 81, 83; Botswana, Kaessner 2061 (B, syn.)

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, fairly robust, up to 60 cm tall with a short creeping rhizome.

Morphology Culms

Culms rather crowded, 30–50 cm long, 1–2.1 mm wide, basal part bulbous, 6–8 mm in diameter, trigonous, glabrous

Morphology Leaves

Leaf blade linear, flat, 15–31 cm long, 2.3–5.1 mm wide, scabrid at least along the margin, apex acuminate Leaves up to 38 cm long. Leaf sheath grey to pale reddish-brown, thin, only at the very base torn into fibres, 4–7.5 cm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like, erect to spreading, 3–4, lowermost 3–12 cm long, 2–4.5 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a simple anthela, primary branches 1–5, 1.5–8 cm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets in loose clusters, sessile and at the end of primary branches, 4–15 per cluster, sometimes reflexed, linear to narrowly ovate, 4.7–9.2 mm long, 2.4–3.3 mm wide, spreading when nutlets mature. Spikelet falling off as a unit, rachis straight.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes green, golden or reddish-brown, ovate, spreading, 3.2–4.6 mm long, 1.7–2 mm wide, keel with 3–4 strong veins on either side, apex acute to acuminate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 4–5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers 1.3–1.5 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet brown to brownish black, ellipsoid to obovoid, strongly trigonous, 2.1–2.8 mm long, 1.1–1.4 mm wide, minutely papillose.

Ecology

In Brachystegia woodland on sand; 800–900 m

Conservation

Least concern - this is a common habitat.

Note

Easy to recognize by its lax-flowered spikelets and few, often reflexed, spikelets per spike.

Distribution

Flora districts: T8 Range: Congo-Kinshasa?, Angola, Zambia

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

Angola, Benguella, country of the Ganguellas and Ambuellas, 31.iii.1906, Gossweiler 3723 (B syntype, BM, K); Zimbabwe, Wilde 81, 83 (PRE); Botswana, Kaessner 2061 (B syntype).

Morphology General Habit

Perennial (but some collectors record as annual), fairly robust, up to 70 cm tall with a short creeping rhizome; culms rather crowded, 30–50 cm long, 1–2.1 mm wide, trigonous, glabrous, basal part bulbous, 6–8 mm in diameter

Morphology Leaves

Leaves up to 38 cm long; leaf sheath grey to pale reddish-brown, thin, 4–7.5 cm long, old basal sheaths disintegrating into fibres; leaf blade linear, flat, 15–31 cm long, 2.0–5.1 mm wide, scabrid at least along the margin, apex acuminate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like, erect to spreading, 3–4, lowermost 3–35 cm long, 2–6 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a simple anthela with one sessile spikelet cluster and 1–11 pedunculate clusters on 1.5–8 cm long peduncles; spikelets in loose clusters, sessile and at the end of primary branches, 4–15 per cluster, sometimes reflexed, linear to narrowly ovate, 4.7–9.2 mm long, 2.4–3.3 mm wide, spreading when nutlets mature, spikelet falling off as a unit, rachis straight; glumes green, golden or reddish-brown, ovate, spreading, 3.2–4.6 mm long, 1.7–2 mm wide, keel green when young, with 3–4 strong veins on either side, apex acute to acuminate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3; filaments 4–5 mm long, anthers 1.3–1.5 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet brown to blackish, ellipsoid to obovoid, strongly trigonous, apiculate, 2.0–2.8 mm long, 1.1–1.4 mm wide, minutely papillose.

Distribution

Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi. Also in Tanzania, D.R. Congo, and Angola.

Ecology

Mainly in deciduous woodlands, often of Brachystegia and/or Julbernardia, but also at roadsides, usually on sand; 950–1650 m

Conservation

Least Concern because of its wide distribution. Very vigorous specimens (e.g. Robinson 6758) may be twice-anthelate.