Rhynchospora gracillima Thwaites subsp. subquadrata (Cherm.) J.Raynal
NE Indigenous

Morphological description

A slender leafy annual or possibly perennial with numerous stems crowded on a short rhizome; old dead stems frequently persistent. Stems 5-40 cm long (including the inflorescence) and0.8-1.2 mm thick (below the first inflorescence-branch), but only 0.3-0.5 mm thick high up, rounded or angular; the base with a few short scales. Leaf-blades 5-25 cm long (or the lower leaf-sheaths with very short blades) and 0.5-1.0 mm wide, flat or enrolled; upper surface with large rectangular surface cells at least in lower part; margin (at least near the apex in young leaves) densely set with short spine-like teeth; sheath leaf-like on one side, very thin and translucent on the side opposite the leaf; ligule a minute, sometimes distinct ridge. Inflorescence with flowering branches spread out along most of the stem, those near the apex maturing first. Bracts subtending main branches leafy, the lowest to 20 cm long. Each inflorescence-branch about 2-8 cm long with usually only 1-5(rarely to 10) pedunculate spikelets, the terminal spikelet of each branch the lowest, overtopped by side-branches bearing usually 1 (rarely 2-3) spikelet set on long slender peduncles. Peduncles very slender, 1-20 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm thick, subtended by a 2-6 mm long filiform pale bract and the base enclosed in a 2-3 mm long tubular prophyll. Spikelets 4-7 mm long and 0.7-1.5 mm wide, acute, pale brown; the lower 2-3glumes short (1.5-2.5 mm) and sterile, the succeeding 3-4 longer (3.0-3.5 mm) and fertile, but usually only 1 or 2 setting fruit. Rachilla of the spikelet a zigzag. All glumes pale brown with midrib shortly excurrent or ending in the apex. Perianth-segments absent. Stamens 2. Style with 2 long style-branches. Nutlet 1.3-1.6 mm long (including the 0.1-0.2 mm long flat-conical top) and 1.0-1.3 mm wide, whitish, almost square, transversely wavy, with a persistent 2-3 mm long reddish brown pedicel. From: Haines, RW; Lye, KA. 1983. The sedges and rushes of East Africa. East African Natural History Society, Nairobi. [Acknowledgement: Nature Kenya (The East Africa Natural History Society)] [All rights reserved]

Diagnostic description

This species is identified by its slender habit, distinctly pedunculate spikelets and whitish almost square nutlet. It is most closely related to the Tanzanian species R. perrieri. From: Haines, RW; Lye, KA. 1983. The sedges and rushes of East Africa. East African Natural History Society, Nairobi. [Acknowledgement: Nature Kenya (The East Africa Natural History Society)] [All rights reserved]

Habitat

In seasonally wet grassland and swamp-edges, particularly at the edges of depressions; resistent to seasonal burning. From: Haines, RW; Lye, KA. 1983. The sedges and rushes of East Africa. East African Natural History Society, Nairobi. [Acknowledgement: Nature Kenya (The East Africa Natural History Society)] [All rights reserved]

Distribution

In Uganda locally common near Lake Nabugabo, elsewhere rare or absent. BUKEDI, MASAKA, WEST MENGO. Also known from the Bukoba, Songea and Sumbawanga districts in Tanzania, and here from 600-1500 m (2000-5000 ft), but not from Kenya. Widespread in West and Central Tropical Africa. Also in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Madagascar. From: Haines, RW; Lye, KA. 1983. The sedges and rushes of East Africa. East African Natural History Society, Nairobi. [Acknowledgement: Nature Kenya (The East Africa Natural History Society)] [All rights reserved]

Altitude

0 to 1200 m

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

Residence status

Occurrence in the Flora of Southern Africa (FSA) countries and South African provinces. Residence status indicates if a taxon is indigenous, endemic, naturalised or invasive in a specific region. This data is based on specimen records and literature

FSA

SA

BOT

NAM

ESW

LES

WC

EC

NC

FS

GA

KZN

LP

MP

NW

Absent

Indigenous

Endemic

Naturalised

Invasive

Names and Sources

Accepted name
Rhynchospora gracillima Thwaites subsp. subquadrata (Cherm.) J.Raynal
Synonym(s)

Rhynchospora subquadrata Cherm.


Classification

KINGDOM Plantae

SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae

ORDER Poales

SUBFAMILY Cyperoideae

SPECIES gracillima

SUBSPECIES subquadrata

5 results for Rhynchospora gracillima Thwaites subsp. subquadrata (Cherm.) J.Raynal

Specimen records

Barcode: PRE0728622-0 Collector(s) & number: Ellery, WN, 254 | 1985-2-2

Botswana, OKAVANGO; MAUNACHIRA RIVER 20 M DOWNSTREAM GODIKWE ISLAND.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0740953-0 Collector(s) & number: Robinson, EA, 5522 | 1963-6-10

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, ZULULAND; RICHARDS BAY.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0811284-0 Collector(s) & number: Ward, CJ, 11726 | 1992-1-23

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, North Coast: Lake Nhlabane area; North Lake; E. shores.

General notes: Seepage. W. aspect. Gentle slope.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0607193-0 Collector(s) & number: Haines, RW, 7002 | 1979--

Eswatini, USUTU RIVER.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0128720-0 Collector(s) & number: Ward, CJ, 11726 | 1992-1-23

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, North Coast. Lake Nhlabane area. North Lake: Eastern shores.

General notes: Vegetation type: hygrophilous sedge- & grassland. Substrate: soil (wet). Moisture regime: seepage. Soil type: peat. Exposure: sun. Aspect: West. Slope: gentle. Other: in dense graminoid stand. Plant features: tufted - tufts dense, small; roots abundant, fibrous; rhizome absent; stems very slender. Notes: common.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Plant occurence records per dataset

Plant occurence records per year

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

1983

BOOK

The sedges and rushes of East Africa Haines, RW; Lye, KA

East African Natural History Society, Nairobi

1972

FLORA

Flora of West Tropical Africa: Second Edition 3(2)

1972

FLORA CHAPTER

Cyperaceae Hooper, SS; Napper, DM

Flora of West Tropical Africa 3(2)278-349

Crown Agents, London

No results found for Rhynchospora gracillima Thwaites subsp. subquadrata (Cherm.) J.Raynal

Status

Status and criteria

NE

Assessor(s)

Plantae Coordinator

Part(s) of plant used Use(s) Reference

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