Cyperus cataractarum K.Schum ex. Engl., Veg. Erde 9(2): 200 (1908)

Pycreus cataractarum C.B.Clarke, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 38(2): 132 (1906)

Type.

Cameroon, Bipindi, 1899, G. Zenker 1935 (syntype: BR, K, P, P00573020, WAG).

Description.

Tufted, grass-like leaves forming high sods (up to 30 cm thick cushions); roots forming large fibrous tussocks; stems smoothly glossy; leaves linear, green to dark green; spikelets greenish-white; glumes with a green midrib.

Specimens examined.

27 km from Kribi in Kienké River, 2°52'N, 10°7'E, 27 Jan 1970, J. J. Bos 6168 (YA); Mpoume waterfalls on Nyong River at Makak, 3°28'N, 11°01'E, 01 Jan 1978, J. Lowe 3420 (YA); near Akonetyè village, Mboro waterfalls, 15 Jan 1978, A. Koufani 20 (YA).

Habitat.

Banks, edges and beds of streams and rivers; in rainforest.

Distribution.

Cameroon (Fig. 11), Congo, Gabon and Nigeria.

Conservation status in Cameroon.

Cyperus cataractarum is not listed on http://www.iucnredlist.org nor assessed by Onana and Cheek (2011). The taxon is currently known from 6 localities. The extent of occurrence of this species is about 13,400 km2 and the area of occupancy is about 24 km2. The habitat of C. cataractarum is being progressively destroyed by plantation development and timber exploitation. Based on these threats, and extent and/or quality of habitat, the species is currently assessed as Vulnerable. IUCN Red List Category: Vulnerable VUB1+2ab (ii, iii).