Schoenus pseudoloreus

Schoenus pseudoloreus is a species of sedge endemic to the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa.[1] Its range also reaches the western border of the Eastern Cape Province.[1]

Schoenus pseudoloreus
Eared Veldrush
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Schoenus
Species:
S. pseudoloreus
Binomial name
Schoenus pseudoloreus
(Kük.) T.L.Elliott & Muasya
Documented collection localities in South Africa
Synonyms[1]
  • Tetraria sylvatica var. pseudolorea Kük.

Diagnostic characters

The key diagnostic characters of S. pseudoloreus are its narrowly contracted flowering heads with bracts having small ear-like membranaceous extensions that cover the base of each spike.[1] The spikelets of S. pseudoloreus often have firm glumes, as in Schoenus compar and Schoenus arenicola.[1] The leaves of S. pseudoloreus are usually terete (round) and the leaf sheaths are red in colour, except in northern variants that tend to be overall lighter in colour.[1] In addition, the leaf sheaths and part of the flowering stems are often sticky.[1]

Similar to other sedges, plants in this group are very difficult to identify. It appears that part of this problem is caused by the tendency of the southern African Schoenus to form hybrids with each other.[2] Preliminary evidence suggests that there might be hybridization in S. pseudoloreus.[1]

  • Flowering head
  • Flowering head
  • Base of culms
  • Spikelet
  • Nutlet

Taxonomy

Schoenus pseudoloreus is a species in family Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae.[3] Other notable genera in tribe Schoeneae include Lepidosperma, Oreobolus, Costularia, Tetraria and Gahnia.[3][4][5] The most closely related species to S. pseudoloreus are other southern African Schoenus species, specifically, species in the Schoenus compar – Schoenus pictus group.[1]

Southern African Schoenus were once classified as Tetraria; however, based on molecular and morphological differences, we now know that the two groups are evolutionary distinct.[6] To ensure that this group of sedges is monophyletic (i.e. the genus only has closely related species), the southern African Tetraria were transferred into Schoenus.[6] In the field, the southern African Schoenus can be distinguished from Tetraria species by their lack of stem leaves and the absence of reticulate sheaths at the bases of the flowering stems.[6]

Distribution and ecology

The known distribution of S. pseudoloreus ranges as far north as the Kamiesberg in the Northern Cape Province and near Willowmore in the east.[1] It is a species usually found on dry mountain slopes with varying substrates.[1]

Images
  • Growth form of Schoenus pseudoloreus
  • Flowering head
  • Flowering head

References
  1. 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: 303–315. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.11.020.
  2. Levyns, M. (1947). "Tetraria and related genera, with special reference to the flora of the Cape Peninsula". Journal of South African Botany. 13: 73–93.
  3. 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: 519–535. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2018.11.021.
  4. Viljoen, J.-A.; Muasya, A.M.; Barrett, R.L.; Bruhl, J.J.; Gibbs, A.K.; Slingsby, J.A.; Wilson, K. L.; Verboom, G.A. (2013). "Radiation and repeated transoceanic dispersal of Schoeneae (Cyperaceae) through the southern hemisphere". American Journal of Botany. 100 (12): 2494–2508. doi:10.3732/ajb.1300105.
  5. Larridon, I.; Bauters, K.; Semmouri, I.; Viljoen, J.-A.; Prychid, C.J.; Muasya, A.M.; Bruhl, J.J.; Wilson, K.L.; Senterre, B.; Goetghebeur, P. (2018). "Molecular phylogenetics of the genus Costularia (Schoeneae, Cyperaceae) reveals multiple distinct evolutionary lineages". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 126: 196–209. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2018.04.016.
  6. Elliott, T.L.; Muasya, A.M. (2017). "Taxonomic realignment in the southern African Tetraria (Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae; Schoenus clade)". South African Journal of Botany. 112: 354–360. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.06.011.
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