Schoenus pictus, Boeckeler

Elliott, T. L. & Muasya, A. M., 2018, A taxonomic revision of Schoenus compar - Schoenus pictus and allies (Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae) with three new species described from South Africa *, South African Journal of Botany 114, pp. 303-315 : 304-305

4. Key to the species of the Schoenus pictus - Schoenus compar and allies clade

1a. Short plants (<300 mm in height); glumes dark-red to almost black in colour; proximal primary inflorescence bract less than or only slightly exceeding length of inflorescence………………………7. Schoenus filiculmis

1b. Taller plants (mostly over 300 mm in height); glumes varying in colour from dark brown to golden; proximal primary inflorescence bract exceeding length of inflorescence up to several times:

2a. Primary inflorescence bracts having membranacous extensions absent or poorly developed (i.e. poorly developed, or relatively narrow, as in S. compar and S. arenicolus ):

3b. Primary inflorescence bracts proximally dilated; glumes thin and papery, often with red spots; nutlet beak similar in colour to nutlet………………………………………………………3. Schoenus pictus

3b. Primary inflorescence bracts narrow at base; glumes thick and firm, light to dark brown; mature nutlets with darker beaks:

4a. Inflorescence a compact, wide panicle, leaves up to half length of culm [86–234(− 305) mm]; basal sheaths often light in colour (ivory in some cases); nutlet beak bulges over nutlet body…………………………..…………………………1. Schoenus compar

4b. Inflorescence a narrow panicle; leaves reduced, less than half length of culm [(10–)25–68(− 134) mm]; basal sheaths often reddish in colour; nutlet beak continuous with body of nutlet………………………………..……………2. Schoenus arenicolus

2b. Primary inflorescence bracts having conspicuous membranaceous extensions:

5a. Inflorescence a spike-like panicle; leaves often proximally channelled and terete with acute to acuminate apices……4. Schoenus pseudoloreus

5b. Inflorescence a wider panicle; leaves usually flat with obtuse to acute apices:

6a. Bases of plant ivory; inflorescence a compact, short straw-coloured panicle; proximal primary inflorescence bracts with faint veins………………………………………………………5. Schoenus aureus

6b. Bases of plants often reddish; inflorescence longer with relatively dark (not straw-coloured); proximal primary inflorescence bracts with veins evident………….……………………6. Schoenus megacarpus