Ficinia eligulata Gordon-Gray ex Muasya, 2018

Muasya, A. M., 2018, Ficinia gracilis complex (Cypereae, Cyperaceae) revisited- Species delineations and description of a new species from South Africa, South African Journal of Botany 119, pp. 230-235 : 231-234

3.3. Ficinia eligulata Gordon-Gray ex Muasya sp. nov.

Type: South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal, 2929 (Underberg): Lions River District, Ross, Umgeni Poort Farm ( BD), grassland, 1675 m, 21 December 1964, Moll 1445 (holotype: NU, barcode NU0038012 ; isotypes: NBG,K (2 sheets), PRE).

Perennial, tufted with no distinct rhizome. Culm 170–590 mm tall, 0.4–1.1 mm thick, but c. 2.2 mm thick across the rim of the leaf sheath, glabrous. Leaf sheath 30–55 mm long, glabrous, not papery, wine-red, non sticky. Ligule absent, sheath mouth sloping inward and downward to leaf attachment. Leaf blade 120–260 mm long, 0.3–0.6 mm thick, margins scabrid, canaliculate to terete. Involucral bract 2–3, primary culm-like, 20–85 × 0.3–0.6 mm, glabrous. In fl orescence occasionally pseudoviviparous, globose, 5.1–9.5 mm diameter, each with 4–9 spikelets. Spikelets 4.8–6.0 × 2.0– 2.9 mm, terete, darkbrown. Glumes 3.0– 3.6 mm long, acute with a mucro 0.2–0.5 mm long; margins entire. Style trifid. Stamens 3, anthers crested, 1.8–2.3 mm long. Nutlets 1.5–2.0 × 0.9–1.1 mm, dark brown with a whitish-gray overlay, smooth under low magnification to minutely papillose; hypogynous disk to 0.5 mm long, cupular, 3- lobed( Fig. 2 ).

3.3.1. Etymology

The specific epithet eligulata refers to the diagnostic feature of this taxon, uniquely lacking a ligule among the subtropical Ficinia . The epithet was initially used by Gordon-Gray (2008), but she died before formally describing the taxon.

3.3.2. Diagnostic characters

Ficinia eligulata is most similar to F.cinnamomea , and was included in initial description of the latter, sharing gross morphological similarities (leaf sheaths non sticky, spikelets less than 10, glumes terminating in a recurrent mucro; Table 1 ). Ficinia eligulata is characterized by its filiform culms and leaves and eligulate sheaths.

3.3.3. Distribution and habitat

Ficinia eligulata is currently known from seepages and montane grassland at 900–2400 m, predominantly in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg escarpment but also extending to similar habitats in Mpumalanga and Limpopo ( Fig. 3 ).

3.3.4. Conservation status

Ficinia eligulata is widespread, occurring in mountain areas that are protected, and is therefore assessed as Least Concern.

3.3.5. Additional specimens examined

South Africa. Limpopo. – 2430 (Pilgrims Rest): Pietersburg Dist.; Wolkberg; just below highest dome of Wolkberg proper (SE. of Haenertsburg) (–AA), 1 March 1957, Meeuse 9867 ( PRE); Serala Forestry Station ; Wilderness Area ; Wolkberg Farm 634 LT. (–AA), 10 September 1985, Venter 10907 ( PRE).

Mpumalanga. – 2530 (Lydenburg): Lydenburg Dist.; Hartebeestvlakte (–BA), 16 May 1979, Mohle 29 ( PRE). 2730 (Vryheid): Wakkerstroom Dist. ; Oshoek Farm (− AD), 6 November 1964, Devenish 1170 ( PRE); 29 October 1962, Devenish 916 (K).

KwaZulu-Natal. – 2730 (Vryheid): Wakkerstroom Dist.; Oshoek Farm (− AD), 6 February 1985, Reid 1017 ( GENT, PRE); 2829 (Harrismith): Cathedral Peak forest station; top of Mike's pass below lookout hut (–CC), March 1973, Arnold 877 ( PRE, NU); 2929 (Underberg): Mpendhle Dist. ; Mulangane ridge above Carter's Nek (–BC), 2 December 1983, Hilliard & Burtt 17040 (E, K, NU, PRE); Mulangane ridge above Carter's Nek (–BC), 4 February 1984, Hilliard & Burtt 17552 (E, K, PRE, NU); Underberg Dist. ; Garden Castle Forest Reserve, Mlambonja valley (–CA), 6 January 1982, Hilliard & Burtt 14953 (E, PRE, NU); Drakensberg Garden Hotel (–CA), February 2004, Muasya 2714 ( BOL); S of Sani Pass, S of SA Border Post on road to Himeville (–CB), 4 September 2002, Burgoyne, 9082 ( PRE); Cobham State Forest (–CB), 10 November 1980, Hilliard & Burtt 13397 (E, PRE, NU); Cobham State Forest , ‘ Lake’ Cave Area (–CB), 11 December 1982, Manning, Hilliard & Burtt 15,906 (E, K, NU); Mlahlangubo River ; headwaters 5– 7 miles NNW. of Castle View Farm (–CB), 22 November 1980, Hilliard & Burtt 13518 (E, PRE, NU); 21 January 1982, Hilliard & Burtt 15295 (E, K, PRE, NU); Gxalingenwa valley , between Sani Pass and Polela Valley (–CB), 9 December 1983, Hilliard & Burtt 17119 (E, GENT, K, NU); Sani Pass (–CB), 13 December 1984, Hilliard & Burtt 17923 (E, K, NU); Vicinity of Tarn Cave above Bushman's Nek (–CC), 21 January 1984, Hilliard & Burtt 17466 (E, K, PRE, NU); Impendhle Dist. , Tilliatudlem (–CC), Dec 1948, Huntley 392 ( NU); 2930 ( Pietermaritzberg ): Balgowan Dist.; Glen Arum Farm (–AC), 23 October 1919, Mogg 5602A ( PRE); 3029 ( Kokstad ): Matatiele Dist. ; Cedarville; Inungi Pass S. of Cedarville (– BC), October 1883, Tyson 1553 ( PRE); 3030 ( Port Shepstone ): Ixopo Dist. ; 1 mile after Highflats to Umzinto (–CA), 23 October 1962, Strey 4547 ( PRE).

EASTERN CAPE. 3029 (Kokstad): Transkei, Nsikeni, Long Ridge (–AB), 31 October 1993, Abbott 6172 ( NU); Matatiele Dist. ; Cedarville; Inungi Pass S. of Cedarville (–CA), 20 November 1945, Acocks 12201 ( PRE).

Figures

Fig. 2. Ficinia eligulata habit, based on Moll 1445 (NU).

Fig. 3. Distribution of Ficinia eligulata.Specimen distribution on Quarter Degree Grid Cells (Leistner and Morris 1976) created using R version 3.2.1 (R Core Team 2014).