e-Key v3 - Askidiosperma
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Restionaceae - Askidiosperma Steud.

Description :

  • Plants tightly caespitose
  • Rhizomes usually very short
  • Culms simple
  • Leaf sheaths caducous
  • Male inflorescence very similar to female
  • Male spikelets : florets sometimes smaller than female ones; pollen released inside perianth segments
  • Female inflorescence of many elongated, poorly defined spikelets clustered at several fertile nodes; spathellae and bracts taller than florets, hyaline and soon lacerate, persisting as hairs around maturing florets; spathes taller or smaller than spikelets, papery to cartilaginous
  • Female spikelets : perianth segments osseous, usually acute, backs all rounded, inner segments usually longer than outer ones; staminodes well developed; ovary 3-locular; styles 3, plumose
  • Fruit at least partly dehiscent

Nomenclature:

  • Askidiosperma Steud.
    • Steudel: 257 (1855)
    • Masters: 98 (1897)
    • Linder: 431 (1985)
    • Linder: 249 (1991)
  • Chondropetalum Rottb.
    • Pillans: 297 (1928) in part
    • Pillans: 255 (1944)
    • Pillans: 106 (1952)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Southern Africa : Species ± 10, Western Cape

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
  • PILLANS, N.S. 1944. New and hitherto imperfectly known species of African Restionaceae . Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 30
  • PILLANS, N.S. 1952. New and hitherto imperfectly known species of South African Restionaceae . Journal of South African Botany 18
  • STEUDEL, E.G. 1855. Synopsis plantarum glumacearum , Vol. 2. Metzler, Stuttgart