Schoenus lucidus (C.B.Clarke) T.L.Elliott & Muasya

Elliott, T. L. & Muasya, A. M., 2020, A taxonomic revision of the Epischoenus group of Schoenus (Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae), South African Journal of Botany 135, pp. 296-316 : 313-314

10. Schoenus lucidus (C.B.Clarke) T.L.Elliott & Muasya , S. African J. Bot. 112: 360 (2017).

Tetraria lucida C.B.Clarke in Harvey (ed.), Fl. Cap. 7: 759 (1900). Epischoenus lucidus (C.B.Clarke) Levyns , J.S. African Bot. 25: 78 (1959).

Type: South Africa, Western Cape Province, 3319 (Worcester): 'in montibus Pone Prince-Alfred' , (‒AD), 16 Jan 1897, Schlechter 9987 ( K [ K000244903 ], holo.!; E [ E00200178 ] — image!, GRA!, L [ L 0042806 ] — image!, NSW! [506452], P [ P00461965 , P00461966 , P00465909 ] — image!, PRE! [ PRE0592382-0 , PRE0102729-0 ], S [ S-G-6788 ] — image!, WAG [ WAG0000899 ] — image!, iso.). [Note: Levyns (1959) notes that the type of E. lucidus is Schlechter 9987 at K.].

[Note: Based on our research, only one specimen of Schlechter 9987 is at K, the institution where Clarke did his taxonomic work. This specimen has a note in the top left-hand corner in Clarke’ s handwriting that it was examined by himself on September 26, 1899. Thus, we think that there is enough information to conclude that this specimen is the holotype of E. lucidus .].

[Note: The collection date on the specimens from E, K, L, P, S and WAG is ‘ 16-I-1897 ’, whereas the other specimens that we examined have the collection date of ‘ 16-I-1896 ’. Based on the itinerary of Schlechter’ s collection trips, the correct year is 1897 as that is when he was in the Prince Alfred area (see Jessop, 1964).].

Epischoenus eriophorus Levyns, J. S. African Bot. 13: 56 (1947).

Type: South Africa, Western Cape Province, 3319 (Worcester): Ceres Division , Elands Kloof , (‒AC), Dec 1946, Levyns 8142 (BOL, lecto.! [BOL_139405], here designated; BOL! [BOL_139406, BOL_150261], K [K000244902] — image!, PRE! [PRE0099612-0], SAM! [SAM0051821- 0], isolecto.). [Note: Three type specimens of E. eriophorus are stored at BOL, the herbarium where Levyns worked. Two of these specimens (BOL139405 — “ Sheet I ” and BOL139406 — “ Sheet II ”) have ‘ Type auctoris’ written on them in pencil, with “TYPE” written on their respective collection labels. Since there was no other indication of which of these specimens Levyns had designated as the holotype of this species, we have chosen “ Sheet I ” [BOL_139405] as the lectotype.].

Caespitose, perennial graminoid, aphyllopodic, partially hairy ( Fig. 4E and Fig. 4K ). Culms terete with shallow ridges, (157 —) 242 — 510(‒605) £ 1.0‒1.5(‒1.7) mm. Leaves absent. Sheaths sometimes hairy, reddish-black, longitudinally striate, open, central vein terminating in a mucro up to several mm long, chartaceous to firm in texture (edges often chartaceous). Ligule absent. In fl orescence a congested, pseudolateral panicle, (17 —)19‒24(‒30) £ 3.0‒8.0(‒15.0) mm, proximal rachis length (2.0 —)3.6‒5.8(‒12.0) mm ( Figs. 4K and 7J ). Proximal primary in fl orescence bracts (20 —)26‒35(‒51) mm long, without lateral chartaceous extensions, ranging from flat to slightly involute, apex acuminate to obtuse, slightly exceeding length of inflorescence, usually 2 dominant primary inflorescence bracts appressed to spikes and central axis of inflorescence. Spikes 1‒3 (usually 2), (10 —)15‒20(‒26) mm long, aggregated into dense clusters along rachis, almost completely overlapping. Spikelets linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, 2 — 6 spikelets per spike, (6.5 —)8.3‒10.2(‒13.7) £ 1.3‒1.7 (‒2.2) mm, pedicellate, colour reddish-brown, texture firm and opaque, partially concealed by primary inflorescence bracts, varying number of sterile glumes at spikelet base ( Fig. 8J ). Proximal spikelet prophyll usually absent, (2.1 —) 3.4‒4.5 mm, mucros (0 —)0.3‒1.2(‒1.4) if present. Rachilla (0.6‒)1.8‒3.7(‒5.7) mm long. Glumes varying in number, 4‒12 per spikelet, with curly, thick hairs (especially when young), texture opaque and firm, hyaline margins evident, lower glumes often relatively long, proximal glume (1.1‒)2.9‒4.8(‒6.6) mm long, subproximal glume (1.6‒)2.6‒5.2(‒7.7) mm long, upper glumes longer than basal ones, apex acuminate to obtuse. Glume mucros often absent, proximal mucro 0‒0.6(‒1.4) mm long, subproximal mucro 0‒0.9(‒2.3) mm long. Stamens (2)3 per floret, anthers 4.5‒ 4.9 mm. Stigmas 3-branched, vestigial stigmas present. Perianth bristles absent (i.e. yet to be observed). Suprafloral axis sometimes thickening and strengthening, eventually curving. Nutlet (1.8‒)2.2‒2.4(‒ 2.6) £ 1.1‒1.4 mm, broad elliptic, stipitate, trigonous, yellowish in colour when young and turning reddish-brown with maturity (sometimes with yellow spots), pedicel enlarged and staying yellow with maturity; nutlet beak small, 0.1‒0.3 mm ( Fig. 10J ). ( Figs. 4 , 7 , 8 and 10 )

Flowering: October to December

Distribution and ecology: The centre of distribution of S. lucidus is in the mountains of the Worcester and Ceres regions in the Western Cape Province of South Africa ( Fig 20 ). Schoenus lucidus has been collected from elevations between 900 — 1700 m, and based on specimen label information, this species can survive in both wet and dry sites in mountainous habitats.

Diagnosis: Schoenus lucidus has hairy spikelets ( Fig. 8J ) and often also partially hairy culms. Schoenus crinitus , S. neovillosus and sometimes S. gracillimus are also hairy species, but their growth and spikelet forms differ from that of S. lucidus . Whereas S. lucidus has a relatively short inflorescence, the proximal rachis, proximal primary inflorescence bracts and the inflorescence of S. neovillosus are generally longer ( Figs. 4K and 4L ). The spikelets of S. crinitus and S. gracillimus are dispersed throughout the inflorescence, which contrasts with the congested, overlapping spikes and spikelets of S. lucidus .

Similar to S. lucidus , the inflorescences of S. complanatus and S. quadrangularis are short and compact ( Fig. 3 ). However, culm shape can be used to distinguish these species. While the culms of S. lucidus are terete with shallow ridges, S. complanatus has flat culms and those of S. quadrangularis are four-angled.

Additional collections examined

South Africa. WESTERN CAPE: 3319 (Worcester): Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area; growing along small trail on path to Disa Pool , c. 650 — 700 m from parking lot, (‒AA), 20 Oct 2018, Elliott & Muasya TE 2016_414 ( BOL) ; 28 Sep 2019, Elliott TE 2016_437; Upper Wellington Sneeuwkop , (‒CA), 11 Nov 1956, Esterhuysen 26,497 ( BOL) , Esterhuysen 26,497a ( BOL) ; Limietberg Nature Reserve , flat area between Observation Peak and Klein Wellington Sneeukop, (‒CA), 1 May 2018, Elliott, Muasya & van Mazijk TE 2016_342 ( BOL) , Elliott, Muasya & van Mazijk TE 2016_343 ( BOL) ; Wemmershoek Pk., ledges on W side, (‒CC), 31 Dec 1944, Esterhuysen 11,312 ( BOL) ; Paardekop, Wemmershoek Mts., (‒CC), 2 May 1945, Esterhuysen 11,592 (BOL, PRE); Wemmershoek Mountains , slopes to NE of Wemmershoek Peak, (‒ CC), 5 Mar 2004, Verboom 706 ( BOL) ; Cold Bokkeveld & road to Die Vlakte , (‒CD), 19 Dec 1948, Levyns 9362A ( BOL) ; Goudini Sneeukop , (‒CD), 30 Oct 1960, Esterhuysen 28,546 (BOL, K, PRE) .

Figures

Fig. 4. Examples of plants from six species of the Epischoenus group found in southern Africa, showing the corresponding inflorescences beneath each plant: A and G—S.crinitus; B and H—S. adnatus; C and I—S. gracillimus; D and J—S. schonlandii; E and K—S. lucidus; and F and L—S. neovillosus. The black scale bar adjacent to the inflorescence in L represents 10 mm.

Fig. 7. Diagrammatic representations of the inflorescences of 11 species in the Epischoenus group, with spikelets illustrated in dark grey, primary inflorescence bracts in white and chartaceous (membranaceous) lateral extensions of the primary inflorescence bracts in light grey. Illustrations are not drawn to exact scale and stippling represents hairs. Inflorescences of the following species are shown: A—S. dregeanus; B—S. complanatus; C—S. quadrangularis; D—S. selinae; E—S. rigidus; F—S. crinitus; G—S. adnatus; H—S. gracillimus; I—S. schonlandii; J—S. lucidus; and K—S.neovillosus.

Fig. 8. Examples of spikelets from 11 species of the Epischoenus group found in southern Africa: A—S.dregeanus; B—S.complanatus; C—S. quadrangularis; D—S. selinae; E—S.rigidus; F—S.crinitus; G—S.adnatus; H—S.gracillimus; I—S.schonlandii; J—S.lucidus; and K—S.neovillosus. The black scale bar beside K represents 1 mm.

Fig. 10. Examples of nutlets from 11 species of the Epischoenus group found in southern Africa: A—S. dregeanus; B—S.complanatus; C—S. quadrangularis; D—S. selinae; E—S.rigidus; F—S.crinitus; G—S.adnatus; H—S.gracillimus; I—S.schonlandii; J—S.lucidus; and K—S.neovillosus. The black scale bar beside K represents 1 mm. Fully formed, mature nutlets of S.crinitus and S. neovillosus have yet to be observed.

Fig. 20. Documented locations of S.lucidus.

Fig. 3. Examples of plants from five species of the Epischoenus group found in southern Africa, showing the corresponding inflorescences beneath each plant: A and F—S. dregeanus; B and G—S.complanatus; C and H—S. quadrangularis; D and I—S.selinae; and E and J—S.rigidus. The black scale bar adjacent to the inflorescence in L represents 10 mm.