Cyperus vorsteri is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae native to KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.[2]
| Cyperus vorsteri | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Cyperus |
| Species: | C. vorsteri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cyperus vorsteri | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Mariscus grantii C.B.Clarke | |
Description
editThe rhizomatous perennial sedge typically grows to a height of 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) and has a robust tufted habit.[3] The triquetrous and smooth culms usually grow to a height of 0.5 to 1.5 m (1.6 to 4.9 ft) and have a diameter of around 8 millimetres (0.31 in). The strongly septate-nodulose deep-green leaves are often longer than culms and have a width of 7 to 14 mm (0.28 to 0.55 in).[4] The plant flowers in spring, between August and November.[5] It forms compound to decompound inflorescences that have with seven to thirteen branches that are up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in length. The spikes have a cylindrical form and are around 2 cm (0.79 in) long with a diameter of around 1 cm (0.39 in). Following flowering it will form a dark yellow-brown trigonous nut with a narrow-obovoid to narrow-ellipsoid shape. The nut has a length of 1.8 to 2.3 mm (0.07 to 0.09 in) and a diameter of about 0.6 mm (0.02 in).[4]
Taxonomy
editThe species was originally described as Mariscus grantii by the botanist Charles Baron Clarke in 1898 as part of the Thiselton-Dyer work Cyperaceae. Flora Capensis.[1][6] It was subsequently reclassified into the genus Cyperus in 1994 by Karen Wilson in the work New taxa and combinations in the family Cyperaceae in eastern Australia published in the journal Telopea.[7][8]
Distribution
editThe species is endemic to South Africa.[4] It has been introduced in Western Australia where it is found along streams and creeks in Kalamunda in the outer metropolitan region of Perth where it grows in sandy-clay soils.[3] It has also become naturalised in areas in and around Sydney where it is often found in disturbed areas of woodland and parks.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Cyperus vorsteri". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ "Genus: Cyperus, Species native to southern Africa". Biodiversity explorer. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Cyperus vorsteri". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b c d "Cyperus vorsteri K.L.Wilson". PlantNET. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ "Cyperaceae – Sedge Family". Weed Society of Western Australia. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ Clarke, C.B. (1898). Thiselton-Dyer, W.T. (ed.). "Cyperaceae". Flora Capensis. 7 (2): 194.
- ^ "Cyperus vorsteri K.L.Wilson". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ Karen Wilson (26 April 1994). "New taxa and combinations in the family Cyperaceae in eastern Australia". Telopea. 5 (4): 598. doi:10.7751/TELOPEA19944989. ISSN 0312-9764. Wikidata Q55801380.