Cyperus L.

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

Morphology General Habit

Annuals or perennials, rhizomatous or stoloniferous

Morphology Culms

Culms mostly scapose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves rarely without blade; ligule 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts one to several, mostly leaf-like, the lowermost largest, the others progressively smaller

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal or pseudolateral, capitate or anthelate and often with primary, and sometimes secondary branches terminating in 1 or more or digitate clusters of spikelets (spikes), sometimes the spikelets more spaced out on an elongated axis

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets linear to ovoid. Laterally flattened; axis persistent or spikelet falling off as entity when nutlets are ripened (subgenus Mariscus).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes few to many, 2-ranked, dehiscent (or persistent in subgenus Mariscus), glabrous, keel obtuse to mucronate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth segments 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma (2–)3-branched.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style base not thickened

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets trigonous, dorsiventrally compressed, with a flat side pressed against the rachilla, sometimes almost rounded

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Perennial or (more rarely) annual herbs, tufted or with creeping rhizomes or stolons, sometimes producing tubers or bulbs

Morphology Stem

Stems trigonous or (more rarely) subterete or 6-angular, usually leafy only at the base, rarely halfway up, but some species lacking basal leaves altogether; stem-base sometimes swollen and succulent

Morphology Leaves

Leaves tristichous, linear and grass-like, the lower ones often scale-like, covering the base of the stem and the rhizome, rarely all reduced to their sheaths

Morphology General

Stem- and leaf-anatomy of eucyperus-type (in species 1–10) or of chlorocyperus-type (in species 11–86)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal, often a subumbel-like open anthela or congested into a dense head (capitate), usually consisting of numerous spikelets set in distinct spikes or in digitate clusters; involucral bracts usually similar to the leaves, the base of each branch (ray) enclosed in a tubular, two-keeled prophyll

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets ± compressed, linear or ovate, 1–50 flowered; axis (rhachilla) often winged by the decurrent base of the glumes, persistent or caducous (then spikelets falling off as a whole)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes distichous, white, grey, green, brown, reddish brown or blackish, often variegated, with 1–5 ± distinct nerves on each side of the midrib; midrib often green and of another colour than the other parts of the glume, sometimes excurrent in a straight or recurved mucro

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual

Morphology General Indumentum

Hypogynous bristles or scales absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3, 2 or 1; the connective often produced into an apical appendage

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 3- or 2-fid, rarely almost undivided

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet sessile, trigonous or lenticular, usually obovoid or ellipsoid; surface often tuberculate or papillose.

Note

Large genus of about 650 species; it is taken here in a wide sense including Anosporum (species 10), Kyllinga (species 70–81), Mariscus (species 49–51, 53–69), Pycreus (species 83–86), Queenslandiella (species 82) and Sorostachys (species 8–9).

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

Morphology General Habit

Mostly scapose in habit Annual or perennial herbs; if perennial, then with thick or thin rhizomes

Morphology Leaves

Leaves usually laminate, but sometimes reduced to scaly bracts; ligule absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence bracts one to several, the lowest largest, the others progressively smaller Inflorescence usually terminal but sometimes pseudolateral, capitate or anthelate; if anthelate, then the secondary branches ending in digitate clusters of spikelets, or the spikelets arranged along the axis forming a spike

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets linear to ovoid, laterally flattened; axis persistent, or spikelets falling away entire when the nutlets are ripe (subgenus Mariscus (Vahl) C.B. Clarke).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

glumes few to many, two- ranked, dehiscent (or persistent in subgenus Mariscus), glabrous, keel prominent and obtuse to mucronate at the apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual-Perianth absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma (2)3-branched; style base not thickened

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets trigonous, dorsiventrally compressed, with a flat side facing the rachilla, sometimes almost rounded.

Distribution

A genus of about 550 species in a range of habitats, particularly seasonally wet, mainly in the tropics but extending into warmer temperate zones.

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

Morphology General Habit

Stoloniferous floating perennial

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves ligulate, the lower leaf sheaths inflated

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence subumbellate, globose heads sessile of with peduncles of variable length; each head with many closely packed spikelets; these subtended by scale-like bracts but lacking prophylls.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes spirally inserted, stiff, margins ciliate, margins thick and acuminate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Floret bisexual.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth segments 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 2-branched

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet lenticular and with a corky base, margin and tip.

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

Morphology General Habit

Rhizomatous leaf-bearing perennial-Culms triangular, smooth, nodeless

Morphology Leaves

Leaves basal, often exceeding culm length, ligulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence anthelate to capitate, mostly of pedunculate heads each subtended by a primary foliose bract

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes spiral; florets bisexual-Perianth 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style branches 2

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet narrow, dorsiventrally plano-convex, beaked, base margins and top corky, surface smooth.

Distribution

A monotypic genus, widespread, but not frequent in tropical to sub-tropical climates in eastern Africa. Also in Central and South America.

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

Morphology General Habit

Small annual herbs 3–25 cm high

Morphology Culms

Culm scapose, (flattened) rounded to trigonous, glabrous and smooth

Morphology Leaves

Leaves all basal, to 1.3 mm wide, leaf sheaths brown to reddish-brown, eligulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence (bis)anthelate or congested, occasionally pseudolateral, 2 to many pedicelled to semi-sessile spikes Spikes 1–6 mm, ovoid to cylindrical, bright yellow-green to dark reddish- brown, with tubular prophyll near base; pedicels absent or to 30 mm long; spikes with numerous densely spirally-set spikelet bracts, 0.6–1 mm long, each subtending a highly reduced, lateral 1-flowered spikelet with an adaxial empty prophyll and a flower-bearing abaxial glume

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

The single bisexual flower has a trimerous ovary with 3 stigmatic branches, 1–2 lateral stamens, and no perianth

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits narrow, linear to obovate, straight to slightly curved, rounded trigonous, shortly beaked, (pale)brownish to reddish-brown, rarely with a white, slightly lobed collar.

Ecology

A genus of 4 species from seasonally wet open grasslands or disturbed wet alluvial soils; rarely collected and probably often overlooked.

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

Morphology General Habit

Slender annuals

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves eligulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences congested with with few to several rays, rarely bisanthelate [branched to 2 orders, roughly funnel-shaped]. Spikes ovoid to subcylindric, with many spirally arranged spikelet bracts

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 10-flowered with 3 distichous scales, subhyaline (equivalent to 2 basal bracts plus a prophyll), upper one (glume) longer and clasping the flower, rarely utriculiform, rarely adaxial rachilla ± as long as the glume

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–2

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary rarely with a hyaline cupuliform hypogynium with truncate or scarcely lobed mouth.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style trifid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet roundedtrigonous, shortly beaked.

Note

As circumscribed by Goetghebeur and Vorster this genus, formerly described as monotypic, now includes four species occurring between Congo-Kinshasa and Ethiopia in the north and Namibia and Madagascar in the south.

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

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb with stout rhizomes, giving off tough horizontal stolons

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose, bulbous at the base

Morphology Leaves

Lower leaves reduced to sheaths; ligule 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts several. Leaf-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a pale globose cluster of many spikelets, tightly congested; rachillae above base persistent, upper part together with spikelet deciduous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets lanceolate. Laterally flattened; axis persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes distichous, the lower empty, the apical one enclosing a fertile flower

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth segments 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3 with long filaments.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers linear, obtuse

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style very long, thickened at base, 3-branched Style-base not persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets elongate-ellipsoid, compressed-subtrigonous, somewhat attenuate at base, densely punctulate.

Note

A monotypic genus for a species which has been placed in four separate genera, and which occurs from S Tanzania to Angola. Sphaerocyperus differs from Rhynchospora (in which genus it is placed most often) by having distichously arranged glumes, a 3-branched style and a nutlet without persistent swollen stembase.

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

Morphology General Habit

Strongly stoloniferous leaf-bearing perennial-Culms scapose, slender

Morphology Leaves

Leaves without ligule, lower reduced to sheaths

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence capitate of closely-packed greenish-white spikelets; primary bracts foliose, spreading, becoming reflexed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets lanceolate, laterally flattened, shed as units leaving a basal reduced bract and persistent tiny prophyll

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes distichous, sterile, except uppermost enfolding a bisexual floret (and occasionally a continuation of rachilla)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens (2)3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style branches 3, base not distinct, not or slightly thickened, persistent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets narrowly obovoid to ellipsoid, subtrigonous, beaked, surface smooth, becoming minutely punctate.

Distribution

A monotypic genus, endemic to South Tropical Africa.

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

Morphology General Habit

Annual tufted herb with pungent odour of curry or fenugreek, long persistent in dried specimens.

Morphology Roots

Rooting system shallow.

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves eligulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence anthelate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets falling entire, the broadly winged rachilla with distichous persistent glumes, each subtending a flower

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 2

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 2-branched

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets ± oblong in outline, compressed laterally.

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

Morphology General Habit

Tufted annuals with a pungent odour of curry or fenugreek, persistent in herbarium specimens; culms scapose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves eligulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences anthelate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets falling entire at maturity; glumes persistent on deciduous rachilla; each glume subtending a flower

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual-Stamens 2

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 2-branched

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets ± oblong in outline, laterally compressed.

Distribution

A monotypic genus extending from the East African coast to N Queensland (Australia).

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

Morphology General Habit

Annuals or tufted perennials, rarely rhizomatous or stoloniferous

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose, often bulbously thickened at base

Morphology Leaves

Leaves without a ligule

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Primary bracts leaflike, spreading to reflexed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Spikes often vividly colored, with many densely spirally arranged spikelet bracts, much smaller than spikelet; spikelets reduced to 1 glume, without prophyll, accompanied by rachilla remnant in some species, glume polymorphic, rarely utriculiform, often with elongated or swollen upper parts Inflorescences terminally capitate with 1 to few spikes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual-Bristles absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–3(5)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 2–3(5)-fid, style base not distinct, deciduous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Achenes obovate to oblong, rounded trigonous to lenticular, rarely stipitate, surface finely puncticulate.

Distribution

A genus of about 20 species, pantropical, mainly in Africa. The perennials usually grow in marshes while the annuals prefer temporarily wet soils.

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

Morphology General Habit

Annual or perennial herbs

Morphology Culms

Culm scapose, often thickened at base

Morphology Leaves

Leaves eligulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like Bracts 1 per spike

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a compact single head of 1–few spikes of many spirally arranged densely imbricate spikelets.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 1flowered, consisting of bract.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glume (this often petal-like and sometimes enveloping the nutlet) sometimes with a small adaxial bristle-like scale, and sometimes a rachilla, and a flower

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–3(–5)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 2–3(–5)-fid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet mostly obovoid and trigonous, dorsiventrally compressed, minutely papillose.

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

Morphology General Habit

Annual or perennial herbs; root system slender and fibrous in annuals, tussocky or rhizomatous in perennials

Morphology Culms

Culms usually scapose, triangular

Morphology Leaves

Leaves usually all basal, filiform or flat, scabrid on margins, leaf-sheaths glabrous, ligule absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal, anthelate, of few to many sessile or subsessile spikelets and then head-like, or of one sessile and few to many pedunculate clusters of spikelets and then appearing subumbellate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts usually several and leafy, erect or spreading; prophylls at base of inflorescence branches conspicuous, tubular, dark brown

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets white, yellow to light or dark brown or almost black, linear to oblong, ellipsoid or obovate, laterally flattened; axis persistent; glumes distichous, usually ovate to obovate, often concave, apex obtuse to acuminate, sometimes mucronate, dorsally with a usually prominent rib-like keel

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual; perianth absent; stamens (1)3; style continuous with ovary, with 2 (very rarely 3) stigma branches

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets biconvex, with one margin facing the axis, sometimes almost rounded, ovate to obovate or almost sphaerical or oblong to cylindrical, brown to dark grey or almost black, smooth to (usually) finely papillose or transversally ridged to muricate.

Distribution

A pantropical genus of about 100 species. Particularly numerous in central, eastern and southern Africa.

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

Morphology General Habit

Annuals or perennials, rhizomatous or stoloniferous

Morphology Culms

Culms usually scapose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves basal (except in P mundtii Nees – leaves up the culm), rarely without blade; ligule 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts one to several. Leaf-like, sometimes ± bract-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal or less often pseudolateral, capitate or anthelate, with primary, and sometimes secondary branches terminating in one or more or digitate clusters of spikelets, sometimes the spikelets more spaced out on an elongated axis

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets linear to oblong or ellipsoid to ovate. Laterally flattened; axis persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes few to many, 2-ranked, keel obtuse to mucronate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth segments 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma 2-branched (3 in P nigricans).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style continuous with ovary

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets laterally biconvex, with one margin facing the spikelet axis, sometimes almost rounded.

Note

100 species; pantropical.

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

Morphology General Habit

Plants inconspicuous, under or above ground, herbaceous to woody, usually rhizomatous (branched)

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose, short

Morphology Leaves

Leaves soon falling, few to absent, eligulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal, capitate; primary bracts leaf-like, elongate, photosynthetic; partial inflorescences spikelet-like, of several distichous glume-like bracts each subtending a much-reduced spikelet of a solitary bisexual floret enveloped by a veined prophyll and hyaline, veinless glume

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 2

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style short, 3-branched, long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets trigonous.

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

Morphology General Habit

Annual or perennial herbs, often with rhizomes or stolons

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose to few-noded, usually triangular

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sometimes reduced to sheaths only; ligule 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf- like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a single sessile ovoid or globose spike, or a complex head with smaller lateral spikes at base of main spike; laterals flower and fruit later than the main one

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets narrowly ovoid, 1–6-flowered, with 2 sterile basal glumes and several larger fertile glumes; upper flowers sometimes male only; glumes in 2 rows, usually ovate and hooded, keel sometimes winged

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–3, usually 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style with 2 branches

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet oblong or ellipsoid, compressed laterally.

Distribution

About 60 species, mostly in Africa but some in southern Asia and the Americas.

Recognition

Species from this genus are sometimes confused with those of others such as sessile- headed Cyperus (e.g. in section Mariscus (Vahl.) Griseb.). Cyperus has spikelets with many distichous glumes, while Kyllinga has just a few (but more than one), while Ascolepis has just a single glume per spikelet. The occasional Cyperus with very few glumes (such as C. albopilosus with 3) can be distinguished by 3-branched styles, rather than 2-branched styles in Kyllinga.

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

Morphology General Habit

Annual or perennial herbs, often with rhizomes or stolons

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose to fewnoded, usually triangular

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sometimes reduced to sheaths only; ligule 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a single ovoid or globose spike, or a complex head with smaller lateral spikes at base of main spike; these laterals flower and fruit later than the main one

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets narrowly ovoid, 1–6-flowered, with 2 sterile basal glumes and several larger fertile glumes.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Upper flowers sometimes male only.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes in 2 rows, usually ovate and hooded, keel sometimes winged

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–3, usually 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style with 2 branches

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet oblong or ellipsoid, compressed laterally.

Note

Note: Many of the Kew types have been on loan for several years. Despite polite requests for access I was unable to study these types. This, combined with a shortage of time (caused by FTEA completion deadline) have made this treatment less good than I would have wished, as well as incomplete in parts – including a number of indeterminates. Such indets are usually a source of both key improvements and range extensions, and sometimes even of new records or taxa. This is not how I like to work, and I apologize to the users of the treatment and the key! Note: occasionally the spelling Kyllingia is encountered (as in de Jussieu, Nees and Steudel) but the original and correct spelling is without the ‘i’.

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

Morphology General Habit

Tufted small perennials, bulbous thickened bases clothed in old leaf sheaths

Morphology Leaves

Leaves eligulate

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a compact head of several spikelets which may consist of smaller spikelets, with spirally arranged glumes each subtending a sessile bisexual floret

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1(2)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet obovate in outline, compressed subtrigonous, with a short beak, minutely punctate.

Distribution

A genus of 3 or 4 species, mostly in tropical and subtropical Africa.

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

Morphology General Habit

Perennial leafy herbs with erect or horizontal woody rhizomes.

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves eligulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a compact head consisting of several rounded or ovoid spikelets

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets may consist of smaller spikelets. Spikelets with few to many spirally arranged scales or glumes, each subtending a sessile flower

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth segments 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–2.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments flattened.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther not crested

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Pistil with style 2 or 3-branched at apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet obovoid, minutely papillose.

Note

This genus is close to Isolepis morphologically, but differs inflorescence and glume structure.

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

Morphology General Habit

Perennial strand plant with long creeping rhizome bearing ± distant erect culms

Morphology Culms

Culms with many nodes, hidden in leaf sheaths

Morphology Leaves

Leaves crowded, thick; ligule 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence capitate of several congested cymes, subsessile among the leaves

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets with distichous glumes, the basal 3 glumes empty, and a pseudoterminal bisexual flower

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers distinctly apiculate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary gradually drawn out into the style which is 3-branched at apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets ellipsoid to linear-oblong, trigonous, smooth, clasped by enlarged corky upper rachilla internode.

Ecology

A monotypic genus, widely distributed throughout the tropics on dunes and sea shores.

George R. Proctor (2012). Flora of the Cayman Isands (Second Edition). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Morphology General Habit

A perennial with elongate rhizomes and solitary or clustered densely leafy culms

Morphology Leaves

Leaves rigid, linear-lanceolate, spinulose-tipped, the basal sheaths imbricate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a dense solitary head of 1-flowered spikelets; rhachilla jointed above the base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual, without perianth

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3; style 3-cleft

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Achenes smooth, sessile.

Distribution

A pantropical genus of 1 species. Some authors have included it in Cyperus or its segregate Mariscus on narrow technical grounds, despite its distinctive habit and unique features.

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

Morphology General Habit

Medium-sized annual herbs, forming small tufts

Morphology Leaves

Basal leaves linear, V-shaped in cross-section, ± straight, glabrous except for few small, sparely-spaced teeth along margins near apices

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts subtending inflorescence up to 9, spreading-erect, morphologically similar to basal leaves

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a long-peduncled, 2-compound umbel of spheroid spikes; spikes c. 10 mm in diameter

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets to 8 mm long, 1–9-flowered, densely spaced, spreading, deciduous between glumes 2–3, narrowly elliptic with acute apex, conspicuously compressed laterally

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes distichously arranged, narrowly ovate when flattened, folded with prominent abaxial wing, shortly apiculate, median longitudinal vein shortly excurrent, 1 pair of secondary longitudinal veins spaced close to midrib to leave greater part of glume veinless, yellow-green, eventually maturing into warm yellow-brown

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual, but 2 lowest glumes empty

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3; pollen grains obtusely obpyramidal with 4 lateral facets

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 3-branched

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets narrowly spindle-shaped, tapering to both ends, straight, obtusely trigonous, not compressed, covered with acute-conical, flat-topped papillae.

Distribution

A genus of 2 species, along waterbodies in dry, hot parts of southern and eastern Africa, Madagascar and India.

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

Morphology General Habit

Annuals with curry-like odour, with slender to minute rootsystem

Morphology Culms

Culms scapose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves eligulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal, anthelate, with primary and secondary branches, terminating into 1 to several clusters of spikelets (spikes)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets ovoid. Laterally flattened, 1–10-flowered, disarticulating in one piece above the two basal empty glumes.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes persistent on rachilla, distichous, boat-shaped with winged midrib, mucronate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma 3branched

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet trigonous, narrowly oblong to linear-lanceolate, minutely papillose.

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

Morphology General Habit

Annuals or perennials

Morphology Culms

Culm erect, ± cylindrical, scapose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves basal.

Morphology Leaves Leaf sheaths

Sheath closed, blade flat or inrolled; ligule 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts leaf-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Spikes with many spikelet bracts set in a dense spiral, each bract subtending a highly reduced 1-flower spikelet with 2 minute scales, an empty prophyll, and a flower-bearing glume Inflorescence terminal and head-like, with 1–many spikes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 1–3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 2–3-fid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet obovoid or ellipsoid, topped by small remnant of style-base

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

Morphology General Habit

Annual herbs, more rarely caespitose or rhizomatous perennials

Morphology Culms

Culm erect, ± cylindrical, glabrous and smooth

Morphology Leaves

Leaves basal, linear, with a rather short, closed leaf sheath, no ligule, flat or rarely ± inrolled, with a smooth glabrous leaf blade

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Spikes composed of a cylindrical axis with many well-developed spikelet bracts in a dense helicoidal arrangement, lateral spikes with an empty spike prophyll Inflorescences terminal, head-like, with few to many spikes or reduced to a single spike, surrounded by 1 to few spike-bearing or empty bracts, lowermost bract(s) elongate, uppermost bracts smaller and resembling spikelet bracts; inflorescence sometimes pseudolateral due to the permanent upright position of lowermost spike bract

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelet bracts are ± obovate to spathulate, with a short to elongate apical part Each spikelet bract is subtended by a highly reduced 1-flowered spikelet with 2 tiny hyaline scales, an empty adaxial prophyll, and a flower-bearing abaxial glume; either glume or both scales in some species can be partly to completely reduced

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

The single bisexual flower has a 3- or bimerous ovary with a (very) short to medium- sized style and 2 or 3 stigmatic branches, 1–3 stamens at ribs of ovary, and no perianth

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits (broadly) obovate, ellipsoid to narrowly subcylindrical, often constricted at base and apically with a small stylebase remnant, rarely beaked.

Distribution

A genus of 35 species from open, often weedy vegetation on temporarily moist or peaty soils; 14 species in the Flora area.

Ecology

The perennial species tend to grow more often under more or less permanently moist to wet conditions, whilst the annuals are found on seasonally wet sandy soils.