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

Cyperaceae - Cyperoideae - Cypereae - Oxycaryum Nees

Description :

  • Aquatic long-stoloniferous perennials
  • Culms with basal nodes, 3-angled
  • Leaves basal, ligulate; sheath with conspicuous venation, adaxial apex V-shaped; blade flat with keeled midrib, profile V-shaped
  • Inflorescence anthelate; subtending bracts spreading
  • Spikes ± globose
  • Spikelets many, dense; glumes spirally arranged
  • Perianth 0
  • Stamens 3
  • Style base persistent, branches 2
  • Nutlet ± ovoid, sessile, with corky tissue enveloping base

Nomenclature:

  • Oxycaryum Nees
    • Nees: 90 (1842)
    • Lye: 280 (1971)
    • Gordon-Gray: 137 (1995)
  • Scirpus L. in part
    • Clarke: 446 (1902)
    • Gordon-Gray: 109 (1972)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species 1: Oxycaryum cubense (Poeppig & Kunth) Lye, widespread in tropical Africa and Central and South America
  • Southern Africa : In Okavango Swamps, Namibia and Botswana and Tongaland (N KwaZulu-Natal)

References:

  • CLARKE, C.B. 1902. Cyperaceae . Flora of tropical Africa 8
  • GORDON-GRAY, K.D. 1972. Cyperaceae . In J.H. Ross, The Flora of Natal. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa No. 39
  • GORDON-GRAY, K.D. 1995. Cyperaceae in Natal. Strelitzia 2
  • LYE, K.A. 1971. Studies in African Cyperaceae . II. The genus Oxycaryum Nees. Botaniska Notiser 124
  • NEES VON ESENBECK, C.G. 1842. Cyperaceae . In C.F.P. von Martius, Flora brasiliensis 2, 1. F. Beck, Vienna