Schoenus auritus (Nees) T.L.Elliott & Muasya, 2019

Elliott, T. L., Barrett, R. L. & Muasya, A. M., 2019, A taxonomic revision of Schoenus cuspidatus and allies (Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae) - Part 1 *, South African Journal of Botany 121, pp. 519-535 : 521-524

1. Schoenus auritus (Nees) T.L.Elliott & Muasya , comb. nov.

Elynanthus auritus Nees, Linnaea 10: 187 (1835a).

Tetraria sylvatica f. aurita (Nees) Boeckeler ex Kük., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni. Veg. 29: 188 (1931).

Type: South Africa, Western Cape Province, 3418 (Simonstown): Kogelberg Nature Reserve , along Palmiet River Walk , between 500 and 600 m after turn-off from main road, along path heading towards Palmiet River , (– BD), 18 Nov 2016, Elliott & Muasya TE2016_141 ( BOL!, neo., MT!, isoneo.). [Note: Nees (1835a) cited specimens from ‘Tulbaghskloof’, ‘Tulbaghsthal’, ‘Hottentotthollandia’ and near Port Elizabeth as examples of this species; in addition, Ecklon and Zeyher 96 was cited by Boeckeler (1874). We here nominate a neotype for this name, since we were unable to unequivocally locate any of these specimens].

Elynanthus auritus Nees, Linnaea 9: 298 (1834), nom. nud., nom. inval.

Elynanthus sylvaticus Nees, Linnaea 9: 298 (1834), nom. nud., nom. inval. Elynanthus sylvaticus Nees, Linnaea 10: 188 (1835b). Schoenus sylvaticus (Nees) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 756 (1891), nom. illeg., non Schoenus sylvaticus Bernh. (1800) , non Schoenus sylvaticus Salzm. ex Schlect. (1849) . Tetraria sylvatica (Nees) C.B. Clarke in T.A. Durand & H. Schinz., Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 663 (1894). Schoenus laticulmis T.L.Elliott & Muasya, S. African J. Bot. 112: 359 (2017) , nom. illeg. superfl. Type: South Africa, Eastern Cape Province, 3325 (Port Elizabeth): Uitenhaag, primaeval forest at Olifantshoek, between the estuaries of Boschmansrivier and Zondagrivier, (–DB), Sep without year, Ecklon & Zeyher s.n. (S[S-G-8291], lecto. – image!, here designated; P[P00461926, P00461927] – image!, isolecto.). [Note: The collection locality of these type specimens corresponds to that described by Nees von Esenbeck (1835b) in his protologue of E. sylvaticus . A specimen collected by Eckon and Zeyher s.n. and stored at B[B 10 0166739] was labelled as an isosyntype of E. sylvaticus by C. Reid in 1993; however, we decided not to designate this as an isolectotype because it lacks sufficient collection locality information. In addition, we decided not to designate Pappe 24,277 [SAM0024277–0] as an isolectotype of this name, as we did not think that there is enough evidence to prove that it had been collected by Ecklon and Zeyher (although the collection locality states ‘In Olifants Hoek’ and C. Archer in 1999 noted that it was possibly an isosyntype from the Ecklon and Zeyher collection)].

[Note: Clarke in Durand and Schinz (1894) lists Elynanthus compar Nees var. β Boeckeler as a synonym of T. sylvatica . After reviewing the cited specimen in the protologue (Drège 3945) and Boeckeler's description of the species, it is our view that E. compar var. β should be a synonym of S. arenicola and not S. auritus . We also exclude Tetraria sylvatica var. tri fl ora Kük. ( Kükenthal, 1931) which will be addressed separately (Elliott and Muasya, in review.)].

Caespitose, phyllopodic perennial graminoid, often appearing semi-succulent. Culms terete, robust, (100–)226–327(—600) × 0.6–1.1(— 2.2) mm. Leaves basal, varying from short to almost the length of culm, 2–6, (22–)52–124(—463) × 0.2–1.5 mm, usually straight, not proximally channelled, mostly flat, margin usually serrate above sheath. Sheaths varying in colour from ivory to red, papery, usually loosely clasping culm, longitudinally striate. Ligule varying in length (see Fig. 6D, E and F ), membranaceous, ivory in colour, (0.5–)1.7–3.4(— 5.4) mm long. In fl orescence a pseudolateral panicle, 9–27(—50) × 3–15 mm, proximal rachis length 3–21 mm. Proximal primary in fl orescence bracts firm, not channelled, apex acute, usually notably widened at base, (17–)31–55(—105) mm long, exceeding length of inflorescence 0.5 times or more, with notable longitudinal veins (especially evident at base). Proximal and subproximal primary inflorescence bracts rarely with inconspicuous membranaceous extensions at base. Spikes 2–9(— 19), (3.5–)7.0–11.0(—25.0) mm long, overlapping, often congested. Spikelets narrow ovate, 3.9–6.6 × 0.8–1.8 mm, pedicellate, 2–8 spikelets per spike, reddish-brown in colour. Proximal spikelet prophyll 1 per spikelet, well-developed, with notable, raised vein extending to mucro, 0.6–2.1(—3.6) mm long, prophyll mucro varying in length, 0.9–2.6(—5.2) mm long. Rachilla 0.2–2.5 mm long. Glumes 4–7 per spikelet, proximal glume 1.4–3.1 mm long, subproximal glume (1.0–) 2.6–4.3 mm long, hyaline margins of varying widths, upper glumes longer than basal ones, apex acute to obtuse. Glume mucros usually relatively short, proximal mucro 0.1–2.0 mm long, subproximal mucro 0.1–0.5(—2.9) mm long, length of lower glumes and mucros often exceeding half the spikelet. Stamens (1–)3(—6) per floret, anthers (1.0–) 2.2–3.6 mm long. Stigmas 3-branched, vestigial stigmas of second bisexual floret often present. Perianth bristles approximately 3 (about half of the length of spikelet). Nutlet broad elliptic, trigonous, yellowish in colour, 1.8 × 0.8 mm. Nutlet beak relatively wide, 0.2–0.8(—1.7) mm long, hispid, brown to dark purple at maturity ( Figs. 2 and 3 ).

Flowering: April–January

Distribution and ecology: Schoenus auritus is found throughout the KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa, generally in locations within 200 km of the coastline ( Fig. 7 ). Although Schoenus auritus can sometimes be found growing in wet habitats such as seepages and streamsides, it is most often found in coarse soils—ranging from sandy-loams to gravelly sands. In the Western Cape Province, S. auritus grows in several different habitats, such as strandveld and fynbos vegetation types, whereas in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces collections of this species have been made from grasslands. Schoenus auritus has a wide elevational breadth, with specimens having been collected from flat areas near sea level to mountain plateaus over 1000 m.

Diagnosis: Notable characters of Schoenus auritus include its semi-succulent habit (apparent in living and herbarium specimens); loose, membranaceous leaf sheaths and the basal expansion of its proximal and semi-proximal primary inflorescence bracts. Other species in this group sharing some of these characters include S. crassifolius , S. graminifolius and S. purpurascens . However, S. crassifolius is distinct as its spikelets are narrower with relatively shorter proximal and subproximal glumes. Whereas the spikelets of S. auritus can have up to six stamens, the spikelets of S.crassifolius are limited to three stamens based on our observations. Schoenus auritus has loose, membranaceous leaf sheaths that are similar to those of S. graminifolius and S. purpurascens , but these latter two species lack the semi-succulent habit of this species. In addition, S. graminifolius has thin glumes that are papery in texture compared to the thicker glumes of S. auritus . The spikelets of S.purpurascens are short (<4.0 mm) and the glumes usually do not exceed half the length of the spikelet, whereas S. auritus has longer spikelets (5.0– 7.5 mm).

Leaf length varies in S. auritus , with basal leaves ranging from less than half the height of the culm to almost the entire length, and eastern specimens tend to have longer leaves compared to their western counterparts. However, long-leaved specimens of S. auritus have also been collected from the Cape Peninsula. The sheath texture also varies across the range of the species, with a tendency for western specimens to have looser, more membranaceous sheaths compared to plants collected farther to the east ( Fig. 6 ). Although the shape of the panicle varies in this species from contracted to more elongate, there does not seem to be a geographic or edaphic trend in this character.

Additional collections examined

South Africa. KWAZULU-NATAL: 2832 (Mtubatuba): St. Lucia System , eastern shores, Sibomvini , (– AB), 19 Sep 1981, Ward 9433 ( K, NU, PRE [2 sheets]). 3130 (Port Edward): Port Edward , (– AA), Sep 1954, Franklin 48 ( NU); Port Edward, near Upper Red Desert , (– AA), Oct 2003, Abbott 7961 ( PRE); Port Edward area, the Red Desert , c. 90–100 m from main entrance gate, (– AA), 3 Nov 2017, Elliott & Betz TE2016_244 ( BOL), Elliott & Betz TE20176_245 ( BOL). EASTERN CAPE: 3130 (Port Edward): Transkei, Xolobeni , ± 15 km S.W. of Port Edward , (– AA), 18 Oct 2008, Jacobsen 6360 ( PRE). 3227 (Stutterheim): down S. slopes of ridge W. of Mt. Thomas , (– CA), 11 Nov 1948, Story 3692 ( BM). 3228 (Butterworth): pastures near Kei Mouth , (– CB), Aug 1891, Flanagan 925 ( BOL, GRA). 3325 (Port Elizabeth): portion 75 of the Farm Chelsea No. 25, Port Elizabeth , (– CD), 24 Sep 2009, Jacobsen 6500 ( PRE); ‘ In Olifants Hoek’ , (– DB), without date, Pappe s.n. ( SAM). WESTERN CAPE: 3318 (Cape Town): Bergvliet Farm, Constantia , flats N.of Fir Avenue , (– AB), 4 Apr 1919, Purcell s.n. ( SAM); Bergvliet Farm, Constantia , flats N.E. of central firs, (– AB), 2 May 1919, Purcell 611 ( SAM); Bergvliet Farm, Constantia , (– AB), 20 May 1919, Purcell 611a ( SAM); Bergvliet Farm, Constantia, Ladies Mile Hill , (– AB), 23 May 1919, Purcell 617 ( SAM [2 sheets]); flats near Bonteberg , (– AD), 21 Sep 1942, Levyns 7581 ( BOL); Camps Bay , (– CD), 15 Aug 1903, Pearson 386 ( NBG); 17 Aug 1936, Levyns 5839 ( BOL); 26 Jun 1938, Levyns 6730 ( BOL); 7 Nov 1943, Levyns 7603 ( BOL); above Camps Bay , (– CD), 29 Aug 1897, Wolley 2787 ( BM, BOL [2 sheets]); Table Mt. , (– CD), May 1926, Wiese s.n. ( BOL); Kirstenbosch , (– CD), 25 Oct 1936, Levyns 5912 ( BOL); Kirstenbosch, clearing N. of stream from Window Gorge , (– CD), Nov 1940, Esterhuysen 11,726 ( BOL); Kirstenbosch , lower slopes, (– CD), Nov 1940, Esterhuysen 11,726 ( BOL); Kirstenbosch, lower slopes, N. of Window Stream , (– CD), Sep 1945, Esterhuysen 11,810 ( BOL); Table Mountain , upper plateau, (– CD), 1 Dec 1956, Esterhuysen 26,663 ( BOL); Table Mountain , upper plateau, towards S. end, (– CD), 1 Dec 1956, Esterhuysen 26,663a ( BOL); Camps Bay, stream beside Francolin Road , (– CD), 13 Sep 1981, Getliffe 1020 ( NU); Ouderkraal 902, 0.5 km, E. of Ouderkraal picnic area, (– CD), 25 Aug 2009, Helme 6473 ( NBG); Redhill , (– DC), 1 Oct 1936, Levyns 5885 ( BOL). 3319 (Worcester): ‘in Tulbaghskloof’ , (– AC), Jul without year, Pappe 24,287 ( NBG). 3322 (Oudtshoorn): George , Swart R. gorge, (– CD), 16 Sep 1960, Acocks 21,535 ( BOL, K, PRE); Wilderness National Park , dune adjacent to clearfelled pine plantation, (– DC), 1 Oct 1997, Rubin 352 ( PRE). 3418 (Simonstown): Muizenberg Mts. , (– AB), Sep 1926, Wiese s.n. ( BOL); Klaver Valley , (– AB), 3 Nov 1936, Levyns 5940 ( BOL); Kalk Bay , (– AB), 15 Aug 1937, Levyns 6282 ( BOL); Schusters Kraal , (– AB), 17 Aug 1941, Compton 11,280 ( NBG); Bonteberg Flats , (– AB), 21 Sep 1942, Levyns 7579 ( BOL); Noordhoek , (– AB), 1 Nov 1942, Henderson 1279 ( NBG); plateau above Tokai , (– AB), 5 Mar 1944, Levyns 7601 ( BOL); Red Hill , Erica ridge, (– AB), 1 Jun 1962, Taylor 3346 ( NBG); Red Hill , (– AB), 5 Sep 1897, Wolley 2798 ( BM, BOL); 11 Feb 1898, Wolley 2798 ( K); 30 Sep 1963, Taylor 5249 ( K, NBG); 5 Oct 1963, Taylor 5297 ( BOL, NBG), Taylor 5299 ( BOL, NBG); N. foot of Teeberg , plot 236, (– AB), 13 May 1965, Taylor 6257 ( NBG, PRE); Froggy Farm , (– AB), 29 Jun 1965, Taylor 6352 ( NBG); N.W. slope of Tuinkop near Kogelfontein, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve , (– AB), 28 Apr 1966, Taylor 6804 ( NBG); Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve , near old main gate, (– AB), 17 Jun 1966, Taylor 6856 ( K, NBG, PRE); Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve , near plot 15, (– AB), 29 Sep 1978, Taylor 9861 ( NBG); Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve , at plot 50, (– AB), 29 Sep 1978, Taylor 9869 ( NBG); Tokai State Forest, Constantiaberg (old Plateau Plantation ), (– AB), 13 Dec 1983, Forsyth 338 ( COMP, WAG); mountainside just E. of Scarborough , (– AB), 22 Sep 1987, Davidse 33,486 ( PRE); Silvermine Reserve , (– AB), 14 Nov 1997, Muasya & Munro 1187 ( K, NBG); Silvermine Nature Reserve, Silvermine West, c. 800 m to S.W. of reservoir on Noordhoek Peak trail, (– AB), 16 Jun 2017, Elliott, Muasya & Muthaphuli TE2016_193 ( BOL); Cape Peninsula (cemetery), (– AB), 11 Feb 1898, Wolley 2832 ( K); near Noah's Ark Battery , (– AB), 14 Sep 1897, Wolley 2832 ( BM, BOL); rocks beyond Smitswinkel Vlei , (– AD), 7 Jun 1897, Wolley 2553 ( BM); ridge beyond Smitswinkel Vlei , (– AD), 7 Jun 1897, Wolley 2553 ( BOL); near Sirkel's Vlei , (– AD), 23 May 1937, Levyns 6231 ( BOL); Cape Point Nature Reserve , (– AD), 19 Oct 2010, Muasya 5459 ( BOL); southern Hottentots Holland Mountains , Kogelberg State Forest, in line with first turn (E.) of road to Oudebos , at Palmiet River , on edge of river, (– BD), 9 Sep 1992, Kruger 770 ( NBG, PRE); near Rooi Els; on S. side of small road heading to Kogelberg Sonchern Link Nature Reserve , (– BD), 18 Nov 2016, Elliott & Muasya TE2016_136 ( BOL), Elliott & Muasya TE2016_137 ( BOL); Kogelberg Nature Reserve, along Palmiet River Walk , (– BD), 18 Nov 2016, Elliott & Muasya TE2016_141 ( BOL); Rooi Els , (– BD), 29 Nov 2017, Elliott & Smith TE2016_306 ( BOL), Elliott & Smith TE2016_307 ( BOL); Kogelberg, Palmiet River Mouth , along track to mouth, (– BD), without date, Verboom 769 ( BOL). 3419 ( Caledon ): Houw Hoek Pass , W. side, (– AA), 9 Jun 1960, Acocks 21,095 ( K); Fernkloof Nature Reserve, Hermanus , (– AD), 24 Feb 1974, Orchard 31 ( K, NBG), Orchard 32 ( NBG); Reservoir Rd., Voëlklip, Hermanus , (– AD), 15 Jan 1981, Williams 612 ( WAG); Hermanuspetrusfontein , (– BB), Jan 1920, Guthrie 24,344 ( BOL); Phillipskop Nature Reserve, Stanford , (– BC), 8 Jan 2018, Muasya 7631 ( BOL); Kleinmond , (– BD), 26 Sep 1945, Levyns 7730 ( BOL); Witvoetskloof, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Gansbaai , (– CB), 18 Aug 2016, Privett s.n. ( BOL [2 sheets]); Groot Hagelkraal , N. edge of crater-like landscape feature, (– DA), 26 Apr 2016, Elliott & Betz TE2016_032 ( BOL), Elliott & Betz TE2016_034 ( BOL), Elliott & Betz TE2016_036 ( BOL), Elliott & Betz TE2016_037 ( BOL); Ratelrivier , (– DC), 24 Jul 1962, Taylor 3567 ( NBG). 3420 (Bredasdorp): Potberg, 4 km W.S.W. of Potberg residence, along Pottebergrivier , (– AD), 19 Aug 1980, Burgers 2473 ( NBG); 2 km S. of Potberg Research Centre, (– BC), 24 Sep 1983, 3rd excursion, University of Stellenbosch 106 ( NBG). 3421 (Riversdale): Albertinia , (– BA), 3 Aug 1951, Levyns 9692 ( BOL); coll. 4.2 miles W. of Albertinia , c. 1.0 mile from homestead, (– BA), 24 Jul 1962, Taylor 3367 ( K); Albertinia, Ystervarkfontein ( Gouriqua ), Releve 387, (– BC), 8 Jul 1962, Willemse 387 ( NBG). 3423 ( Knysna ): between Knyzna Heads and Spaarebosch, (– AA), 13 Jul 1946, Levyns 7881 ( BOL). 3424 (Humansdorp): near Blue Lilies Bush , (– AA), 1 Oct 1930, Fourcade 4483 ( BOL) .

Figures

Fig. 6. Inflorescence and sheath variation in Schoenus auritus, with A–C showing differences in inflorescences and D—F displaying differences in sheaths. The specimen represented in panels B and F is from KwaZulu-Natal Province (the eastern range of the species), whereas the specimens in A,C, D and G are from the Western Cape Province of South Africa.The black scale bar adjacent to the base of the culms and inflorescences represents 10 mm.

Fig.2. Examples of nutlets from 11 species of the Schoenus cuspidatus and allies group found in southern Africa:A—S.auritus; B—S.graminifolius; C—S.ligulatus; D—S.exilis; E—S.bolusii; F— S.submarginalis; G—S.crassiculmis; H—S.quartziticus; I—S.limosus; J—S.purpurascens; and K—S.calceolus (immature).The black scale bar represents 1 mm.The mature fruits of S.calceolus and S.prophyllus are unknown.

Fig.3. Examples of plants from six species of the Schoenus cuspidatus and allies group found in southern Africa,showing the corresponding inflorescences andspikelets beneath each plant: A, G and M—S.auritus; B, H and N—S.graminifolius; C, I and O—S. ligulatus; D,J, and P—S.exilis; E,K and Q—S.bolusii; and F, L and R—S.submarginalis. The black scale bar adjacent to the inflorescences in G—L represents 10 mm, while the scale bars adjacent to the spikelets in M—R represent 1 mm.

Fig. 7. Documented locations of Schoenus auritus.