Scleria
Scleria is a genus of flowering plants in the sedge family, Cyperaceae. They are known commonly as nutrushes.[1] They are distributed throughout the tropical world, and some have ranges extending into temperate areas.[2] There are about 200 species.[2][3]
Scleria | |
---|---|
Scleria testacea | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Cyperaceae |
Genus: | Scleria P.J.Bergius |
Diversity | |
About 200 species |
The genus name Scleria is Greek, meaning "hardness", in reference to the tough seeds.[4]
Plants of this genus are diverse in appearance. These are mostly perennial, but sometimes annual. Some have rhizomes. They produce solitary stems or clumps of many. They are a few centimeters tall to well over one meter. They have few leaves or many. The inflorescence is variable, bearing a single spikelet to over 100.[3] Despite the variety, examination of the fruits and subterranean structures is required to distinguish species.[2]
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scleria. |
External links
- Camelbeke, K. and P. Goetghebeur. (2002). The genus Scleria (Cyperaceae) in Colombia. An updated checklist. Caldasia 24(2), 259–68.