Cyperus hystricoides (B.Nord.) Bauters

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

Types: South Africa, Natal, Griffinshill (East Court), Rehmann 7305 & 7315 (K!, Z, syn.); Angola, Lopollo, Welwitsch 6771 (BM, syn.)

Morphology General Habit

Tufted annual.

Morphology Roots

Roots reddish, thin.

Morphology Stem

Stem obscurely triangular, 2–28 cm tall, 0.3–1.5 mm across

Morphology Leaves

Leaves green, flat to canaliculate, to 10(–17) cm long, 0.7–1.5 mm wide.

Morphology Leaves Leaf sheaths

Sheaths dark red to almost black at base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts (3–)4–9, the longest to 12 cm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a dense head of 3–12 ovoid ± confluent spikelets 3–10 × 2–5 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelet bracts red-brown with green or yellow apex, ovate to obovate, 1.2–3.2(–3.5) × 0.2–1 mm, long-acuminate (1–2 mm), recurved, scabrid at apex; prophyll and glume absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen 1.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers 0.2–0.4 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 0.1–0.15 mm, 3-branched

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets obovoid, 0.5–0.7 × 0.2–0.4 mm, with small style base remnant, rounded-trigonous in cross-section. Tuberculate in longitudinal lines.

Ecology

Seasonally moist grassland, seepage areas; (70–)850–1750 m

Note

The Luke & Luke specimen (the only one from T 6) is at much lower altitude than any of the others, but conforms to the description.

Distribution

Flora districts: K4 T6 T7 T8 Range: Congo-Kinshasa, Angola to Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique and south to South Africa

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, KwaZulu-Natal, Griffin’s Hill, near Estcourt, 1875–1880, Rehmann 7305, 7315 (K syntype, Z); Angola, Huíla, Lopollo, v.1860, Welwitsch 6771 (BM syntype).

Morphology General Habit

Tufted annual with thin roots; stem 2–25 cm long, 0.5–1.5 mm across

Morphology Leaves

Leaves to 7 cm long, 1.5 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts (3)4–9, largest to 12 cm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal, with 3–12 spikes, 3–10 × 3–5 mm, ± confluent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelet bract 1.2–3.15(3.45) × 0.2–1 mm, elliptical, ovate or obovate, apical part 0.6–1.9(2.2) mm long, (very) long acuminate, recurved, scaberulous at top, body red-brown, top yellow; spikelet prophyll and glume absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen 1, anthers 0.25– 0.35 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 0.1–0.15 mm long, with 3 branches

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet 0.5–0.6 × 0.2–0.4 mm, frontally obovate with small style base remnant, rounded trigonous in cross-section.

Distribution

Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique. Kenya and Tanzania south to D.R. Congo, Angola, Namibia and South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal).

Ecology

On moist sandy soils and along rivers; 700–1800 m.

Conservation

Widespread distribution; not threatened.