Schoenus pictus (Boeckeler) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl.

Elliott, T. L. & Muasya, A. M., 2018, A taxonomic revision of Schoenus compar - Schoenus pictus and allies (Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae) with three new species described from South Africa *, South African Journal of Botany 114, pp. 303-315 : 308-309

3. Schoenus pictus (Boeckeler) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 633 (1891).

Elynanthus pictus Boeckeler, Linnaea 38: 254 (1874). Tetraria picta (Boeckeler) C.B.Clarke in T.A. Durand & H. Schinz, Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 662 (1894). Type: South Africa, Western Cape Province, 3319 (Worcester), Dutoitskloof, (–CA), 01 Oct 1828, Drège 1654a (P [P00451918], lecto. - image!, here designated; S - image!, isolecto.).

Caespitose, phyllopodic perennial graminoid. Often viscous, especially on sheaths and inflorescences. Culms terete, 185–319(− 350) × 0.3–1.0 (− 1.2) mm. Leaves basal, 1–3(− 4), short and narrow 12–43(− 105) × 0.15–0.65 mm, sometimes awl-shaped but most often straight, proximally channelled or not, terete distally, margin serrate above sheath. Sheaths expanded at base, firm, glossy, often striate and viscous, usually red-maroon in colour, clasping culm relatively tightly. Ligule short, mostly firm, 0.2–7.2 mm. In fl orescence a short, narrowly-contracted panicle, 12–21(− 30) × 2.0–4.5(− 6.0) mm, proximal rachis length 2–5(− 7) mm. Proximal primary in fl orescence bracts firm, proximally dilated ranging from golden-brown to dark brown, enveloping each spike, non-sheathing, 22–57(− 100) mm long, exceeding length of inflorescence several times. Spikes 1–3, 5–12(− 22) mm long, congested, almost completely hidden by dilated inflorescence bracts. Spikelets linear-lanceolate, 5.0–7.5(− 12.0) × 0.8–1.2(− 1.8) mm, pedicellate, 1–3(− 6) spikelets/spike, proximal prophyll sessile to rachilla. Rachilla 0.8–2.8(− 4.0) mm long. Glumes 2–4(− 5) per spikelet, proximal glume (1.8–)3.8–4.0(− 7.3) mm long, subproximal glume (3.8–)6.2–7.4(− 9.0) mm long, thin, papery, margins hyaline, translucent with red to maroon streaking, obscurely distichous, apex acute, upper glumes longer in length. Mucros often absent, proximal mucro 0–0.2(− 4.0) mm long, subproximal mucro 0–0.2(− 0.8) mm long. Stigmas (2–)3-branched. Stamens (2–)3(− 6) per floret, anthers 4.3–6.3(− 7.0) mm long. Perianth bristles 3, shorter than glumes. Nutlet broad elliptic, 3-ridged, 2.5–4.0 × 1.4–1.6 mm, chestnut brown when mature, immature with red/maroon streaks. Nutlet beak farinose, relatively wide, 0.2–1.0 mm long. ( Figs. 1 and 2 ).

Flowering: October to June

Distribution and ecology: found throughout the western mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, from Vanrhynsdorp in the north to Caledon in the south ( Fig. 5 ). The eastern distribution of S. pictus extends to the Little Karoo mountains around Prince Albert and Rooiberg. This species generally occurs on high mountain slopes surrounded by fynbos vegetation, often in damp situations.

Diagnosis: Schoenus pictus can be distinguished from other similar species by the relatively thick and firm, primary inflorescence bracts that envelop the spikes, which are most often yellow in colour when the inflorescence is immature. In addition, the sheaths and at least part of the culms are often viscous. This is often one of the shorter species in the group.

Additional collections examined

South Africa. WESTERN CAPE: 3218 (Clanwilliam): Rocky W. slopes below Olifants R. dome, (–DB), 16 Apr 1949, Esterhuysen 15,291 (BOL, NBG); Between Levant & Zebrakop, (–DC), 21 Apr 1974, Linder 330 (BOL); Matsikamma Plateau, (–DD), 14 Jan 2003, Knox and Phillipson 4938 (K). 3219 (Wuppertal): Cederberg Wilderness Area, along R364, Rocklands area, (–AA), 14 Jul 2016, Elliott & Muasya TE2016_090 (BOL), Elliott & Muasya TE2016_092 (BOL); ‘In Capidoris summorum montinum pone Nieuwe Kloof in clitione Tulbagh’, (–AC), Mar 1896, MacOwan 1683 (BM, K); Cederberg, on path between Eikeboom and Sneeuberg hut, (–AC), 6 Apr 2002, Verboom 517 (BOL); N. Cederbergen, slopes of peak at Konpoort, (–AC), 23 Oct 1945, Esterhuysen 12,192 (BOL); Ezelbank, ‘prope Wupperthal’, (–AC), 3 Sep 1896, Schlechter 8832 (BOL); Cederberg, western end of Sneeuberg peak, (–AC), 6 Apr 2002, Verboom 524 (BOL); Sneeuwberg, S. Cederbergen, (–AC), 1 Mar 1947, Esterhuysen 13,828 (BOL); Sneeuberg Cederberg in cedar plots N of hut, (–AC), 13 Mar 1985, Taylor 11,300 (NBG); Cederberg, Sneeukop, (–AC), 12 Feb 1936, Compton 6241 (NBG); Cederberg Wilderness Area, several km to east of Cederberg Algeria Wilderness Cottages and Uitkyk, near reserve boundary, in direction towards Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, (–AC), 16 Jul 2016, Elliott & Muasya TE2016_078 (BOL), Elliott & Muasya TE2016_084 (BOL); E. spur of Hondoerbrand Ridge (S. Cederbergen), (–CA), 21 Apr 1946, Esterhuysen 12,751 (BOL); Dwarsrivierberg, S. Cederberg, (–CA), 1 Apr 1956, Esterhuysen 25,550 (BOL); 15 miles S. of Citrusdal, (–CA), Apr 1949, Stokoe 68,109 (WAG); Cederberg S.F., neck S.E. of Sneeuberg summit, (–CA), 10 Jun 1978, Kruger 1750 (NBG, PRE); Krom River Kloof, S. Cederberge, (–CB), 11 Dec 1950, Esterhuysen 17,312 (BOL), Esterhuysen 18,054 (K); Twenty Four Rivers Mts. above Porterville, (–CC), 22 Oct 1949, Esterhuysen 16,085 (BOL, NBG). 3318 (Cape Town): Stellenbosch, Swartboschkloof, Jonkershoek, (–DD), 4 May 1960, van der Merve 21–46 (K, NBG). 3319 (Worcester): Visgat, upper Olifants R. valley, (–AA), 26 Dec 1946, Esterhuysen 13,462 (BOL, K); ‘Bergen Pone’ Elandsfontein, (–AB), 18 Jan 1897, Schlechter 10,023 (BOL); Witzenberg, Farm Opdrag-Visget, (–AB), 29 Jan 2004, Low 9882 (GRA); Gydouw, Koude Bokkeveld, (–AB), 17 Jan 1897, Schlechter 9999 (BM, K,WAG);Elandsfontein, Koude Bokkeveld, (–AB), 18 Jan 1897, Schlechter 10,023 (BM, K, WAG); Hansies Berg, (–AB), 17 Dec 1944, Henderson 2228 (NBG), Henderson 16,696 (NBG); Elands Kloof, (–AD), 14 Dec 1935, Levyns 5108 (BOL), Levyns s.n. (BOL); 3 Oct 1948, Levyns 9234 (BOL [2 sheets]), 3 Oct 1948, Levyns 9228 (BOL), Levyns 9233 (BOL), Levyns 9234 (BOL); 14 Dec 1946, Levyns 8107 (BOL [2 sheets], K); 17 Dec 1948, Levyns 9334 (BOL, K [2 sheets]), 25 Mar 1951, Esterhuysen 18,460 (BOL); Apr 1952, Levyns 9837 (BOL 2 sheets], K); Elands Kloof, Cold Bokkeveld Mts., (–AD), 25 Mar 1951, Esterhuysen 18,460 (BOL); W. slopes of Mitchell Pk., (–AD), 10 Dec 1948, Esterhuysen 14,804 (BOL); Hex River Mountains, Milner peak, above Ezelfontein, on the lower pre slopes below Miner ridge and Shale peak, (–AD), 19 Nov 1987, Barker 291 (BOL, WAG); E. slopes of Prospect Pk. Hex R. Mts., (–BC), 31 May 1949, Esterhuysen 15,420 (BOL, NBG); Du Toits Kloof, (–CA), 27 Dec 1947, Levyns 8789 (BM, BOL); Drakensteenbergen, ‘prope Bain's Kloof’, (–CA), Mar 1877, Bolus 4077 (BOL, GRA, K); E. slopes of Seven Sisters Mt., (–CA), 24 Sep 1949, Esterhuysen 15,793 (BOL, NBG); Upper Wellington Sneeukop, (–CA), 11 Nov 1956, Esterhuysen 26,520 (BOL, K); Happy Valley, Bains Kloof, (–CA), 25 May 1954, Schelpe 4672 (BM, BOL); Slanghoek Mts., Krom R. Dome, (–CA), 31 Mar 1945, Esterhuysen 11,520 (BOL); Bains Kloof, (–CA), 7 Apr 1956, Esterhuysen 25,626 (BOL); Hawequas mountains, Du Toit's Kloof, (–CA), 24 Feb 1972, Boucher 1835 (K, NBG); shallow kloof on Suurvlakte (Hawequas Mts.), (–CA), 9 Dec 1945, Esterhuysen 12,335 (BOL); Waaihoek Plateau, (–CB), May 1942, Stokoe 8687 (BOL, NBG); Brandwacht Mt., Worcester Div. (Disa dell), (–CB), Apr 1929, Stokoe 1958 (BOL); Haalhoek Sneeuwkop, (–CC), 30 Apr 1945, Esterhuysen 11,563 (BOL), 4 Apr 1942, Esterhuysen 7716 (BOL), 15 Mar 1949, Esterhuysen 15,170 (BOL, NBG); Wemmershoek Pk., (–CC), 2 May 1945, Esterhuysen 11,574 (BOL, NBG); LaMotte State Forest: Assegaaiboschkloof, (–CC), 13 Feb 1969, Kruger 1740 (NBG). 3320 (Montagu): sandy plateau on the S. side of the Anysberg, Little Karoo, (–DA), 21 May 1950, Esterhuysen 17,312 (BOL, NBG). 3321 (Ladismith): Seven Weeks Poort, (–AD), Dec 1928, Stokoe 9448 (BOL); Rooiberg mountains, next to forestry track, near forestry hut, (–DA), 29 Dec 1986, Vlok 1808 (WAG). 3322 (Oudtshoorn): Swartberg, (–AD), May 1926, Pocock S.203 (NBG [2 sheets]). 3419 (Caledon): Paardeberg, (–AC), Feb 1940, Stokoe 7171 (BOL); Genadendal, (–BA), 2 Apr 1897, Schlechter 10,315 (BM, BOL, K, WAG).

Figures

Fig. 1. Examples of plants from each of the seven known species of S.compar - S.pictus group found in southern Africa, showing the corresponding inflorescences and spikelets beneath each plant:A,H and O—S.compar; B,I and P—S.arenicolus, C,J and Q—S.pictus; D,K,and R—S.pseudoloreus; E,L and S—S.aureus; F,M and T—S.megacarpus; and G,N and U—S.filiculmis. The black scale bar beside the inflorescences and spikelets in H—N represents 10 mm, whereas the scale bar beneath O—U represents 1 mm.

Fig. 2. Examples of nutlets from six species of the S. compar - S. pictus group found in southern Africa: A—S. compar; B—S. arenicolus; C—S. pictus; D—S. pseudoloreus; E—S.aureus (immature); and F—S. megacarpus. The black scale bar represents 1 mm.The mature fruit of S.filiculmis is unknown.

Fig. 5. Documented locations of Schoenus pictus.