Schoenus, L. (Elliott and Muasya, 2017) L.

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 : 299

4. Key to the species in the Epischoenus group

We recommend also consulting Table 3 and 4 , as well as the Diagnosis sections under the description for each species when identifying specimens to help clarify ambiguities in characters.

1a. Leaves present and often over 30 mm long; spikelets linear; nutlets papillose at base and apex.............. 1. Schoenus dregeanus

1b. Leaves rudimentary if present (<30 mm long); spikelets ranging from linear-lanceolate to ovate; nutlets either non-papillose or shiny:

2a. Culms and leaf blades laterally compressed thus appearing flat.............................................................. 2. Schoenus complanatus

2b. Culms and leaf blades terete or angled:

3a. Culms notably 4-angled (quadrangular), especially immediately below inflorescence.............................. 3. Schoenus quadrangularis

3b. Culms terete or ridged but not notably 4-angled:

4a. Primary inflorescence bracts with lateral chartaceous extensions (i.e. auricles) that conceal at least part of the spikes:

5a. Inflorescence erect and narrow having two primary inflorescence bracts appressed to it; lateral chartaceous extensions partially to almost completely extending the length of spikes; nutlets matt............................................................... 4. Schoenus selinae

5b. Only proximal primary inflorescence bracts appressed to central axis of inflorescence, so that spikes branch laterally; lateral chartaceous extensions only covering base of spikes; nutlets shiny............................................................................ 5. Schoenus rigidus

4b. Primary inflorescence bracts without chartaceous extensions concealing part of the spikes:

6a. Culms relatively narrow (almost always ± 0.8 mm); inflorescence sparingly branched as primary inflorescence bracts are narrow and not appressed to its central axis and spikes:

7a. Plant completely or partially hairy; culms often with relatively deep ridges so appearing angular.................... 6. Schoenus crinitus

7b. Plants glabrous (or sometimes with a few hairs); culms with shallow ridges so that § terete:

8a. Receptacle of spikelet adnate to the basal (i.e. proximal) glume........................................................................ 7. Schoenus adnatus

8b. Receptacle of spikelet free from (i.e. not adnate to) the basal glume:

9a. Plants endemic to wet sites in the Western Cape Province of South Africa; spikelets linear-lanceolate and often pendulous; nutlets stipitate or sometimes seated on a disk......... 8. Schoenus gracillimus

9b. Plants endemic to drier sites (from George eastwards); spikelets lanceolate and erect on inflorescence; nutlets sessile........................................................... 9. Schoenus schonlandii

6b. Culms wider (almost always> 0.9 mm); 2 — 3 primary inflorescence bracts appressed to central axis of inflorescence and spikes:

10a. Plants endemic to the mountains of the Worcester and Ceres regions of the Western Cape Province of South Africa; inflorescence bracts relatively short (usually ± 35 mm); proximal rachis short (usually <6.0 mm) so that lower spikes congested and overlapping.................................................... 10. Schoenus lucidus

10b. Plants endemic to the Riviersonderend area in the east to the Cape Peninsula in the west; inflorescence bracts relatively long (usually Ŀ 35 mm); proximal rachis longer (usually> 7.0 mm) so that lower spikes mostly separated and only partially overlapping............................................................. 11. Schoenus neovillosus