Culms
branching or rarely simple, smooth or striate
Leaf sheaths
closely convolute, apical portion usually membranous and discoloured, soon decaying
Male inflorescence
with many florets arranged in panicles, not aggregated into spikelets, partially obscured by large spathes in young florets; each floret subtended by a linear or setaceous caducous bract; bracts chartaceous, pale; perianth segments 6, linear or setaceous, chartaceous, outer longer than inner; anthers apiculate, exserted; ovary rudimentary
Female inflorescence
of 1-few spikelets, each subtended by a conspicuous, persistent, oblong spathe
Female spikelets
: bracts cartilaginous to chartaceous, many, only 1 fertile; perianth segments 6 or 0, when present, small, membranous, equal; ovary sessile or stipitate, 1-locular; styles 2, free to base, plumose, long or short
Fruit
a large woody nutlet with a distinct elaiosome
Nomenclature:
Willdenowia
Thunb.
Thunberg: 5 (1788)
Masters: 143 (1897)
Pillans: 419 (1928)
Linder: 493 (1985)
Linder: 258 (1991)
Distribution & Notes:
Southern Africa
: Species ± 11, mainly Western Cape, extending to Northern Cape (Namaqualand)
References:
LINDER, H.P. 1985. Conspectus of the African species of
Restionaceae
.
Bothalia
15
LINDER, H.P. 1991. A review of the southern African
Restionaceae
.
Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium
13
MASTERS, M.T. 1897.
Restiaceae
.
Flora capensis
7
PILLANS, N.S. 1928. The African genera and species of
Restionaceae
.
Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa
16
THUNBERG, C.P. 1788.
Restio
. Edman, Uppsala
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