Morelotia octandra is a species of sedge native to the south-west of Western Australia.[1][2]

Morelotia octandra
Morelotia octandra male flowers
Morelotia octandra female flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Morelotia
Species:
M. octandra
Binomial name
Morelotia octandra
(Nees) R.L.Barrett & J.J.Bruhl (2021)[1]
Collections data from AVH
Synonyms[1]
  • Elynanthus octandrus Nees (1840)
  • Elynanthus revolutus Nees (1844)
  • Schoenus octandrus (Nees) F.Muell. (1875)
  • Tetraria octandra (Nees) Kük. (1931)
  • Tetrariopsis octandra (Nees) C.B.Clarke (1908)

Description

edit

Morelotia octandra is a rhizomatous, tufted perennial, sedge which grows from 0.175 to 1.25 m high.[2] Its brown to black flowers may be seen from May to November.[2] It grows on white, grey or lateritic sand, loam, granite, graveland in swamps and on rocky hillsides.[2]

Distribution

edit

It is found in the South-West Province of Beard's classification of ecological regions, or using the more recent IBRA region definitions, in Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren bioregions.

Taxonomy

edit

This species was first described by Nees von Esenbeck in 1841 as Elynanthus octandrus.[3][4] In 1931, Georg Kükenthal reassigned it to the genus, Tetraria.[5][6] In 2021 R.L.Barrett & J.J.Bruhl reassigned it to genus Morelotia.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Govaerts, R. et al. (2023) "Tetraria octandra (Nees) R.L.Barrett & J.J.Bruhl – Plants of the World Online". Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Florabase Tetraria octandra". Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  3. ^ "APNI Elynanthus octandrus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  4. ^ Nees von Esenbeck, C.G.D. (1841) Characters of new Genera and Species of New Holland Cyperaceae, Restiaceae, and Juncaceae. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, series 1 6: 48
  5. ^ "APNI Tetraria octandra". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  6. ^ Kükenthal, G. (1931) Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis 29: 192
edit