Bulbostylis congolensis De Wild.

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

J. Browning, K.D. Gordon-Gray†, M. Lock, H. Beentje, K. Vollesen, K. Bauters, C. Archer, I. Larridon, M. Xanthos, P. Vorster, J. Bruhl, K. Wilson and X. Zhang (2020). Flora Zambesiaca Volume: 14: Cyperaceae. M.Á. García, J.R. Timberlake (Eds). Kew Publish

Type

D.R. Congo, ?upper Congo, 1906, Claessens 1681 (BR lectotype); ?lower Congo, 1922, Achten s.n. (BR syntype), lectotypified by Goetghebeur & Coudijzer (1985: 245).

Morphology General Habit

Erect annual, 35–60 cm tall; rhizome and tunic of leaf bases lacking

Morphology Leaves

Leaves numerous, almost equalling culm length; leaf sheath mouth inconspicuously long white-fringed, ligule 0; leaf blades to 300 × 0.2–0.3 mm, filiform, margins and midrib hispid

Morphology Culms

Culm 0.3–0.6 mm wide, ridged and furrowed, densely hispid (hairs 0.3–0.5 mm long)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence anthelate, variable, of central spikelet or head of spikelets with additional 4–5 hispid inflorescence branches with further spikelets; bracts 3–5, 5–10 mm long, apically filiform with hispid margins, basally glume- like, ciliated, appearing almost triangular, margins without long white hairs

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 3–5 × 2 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes 10–15, spiral, ovate to ovate-lancoelate, 1.8–2.5 mm long, dark brown, flanks scabrid, margins glabrous to scabrid, apex obtuse to emarginate, midrib 3-nerved, ending before apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style, base persistent on nutlet, branches 3 usually shorter than style

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet 0.9–1 × 0.7–0.8 mm, olive-brown, obovate to obcordate in outline, trigonous, surface transversely rugose (10–12 rugae), raised papillae present, angles finely wavy.

Distribution

Zambia. Also in West Africa, Burundi, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, D.R. Congo and Angola.

Ecology

Margins of lateritic pans, and damp rock crevices within lateritic outcrops; 1300–1800 m.

Conservation

Widespread; not threatened.

Cyperaceae, K Hoenselaar, B. Verdcourt & H. Beentje. Hypolytrum, D Simpson. Fuirena, M Muasya. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2010

Type

Type: Congo-Kinshasa, ?upper Congo, Claessens 1681 & lower Congo, Lode Achten s.n. (BR, syn.) Stems and leaves densely short hairy. Glumes 1.5–2 mm long.

Ecology

Grassland and bushland, sheltered crevices in rocky outcrops; 1050–1400 m

Note

Material with dense patent hairs on the stems is characteristic but specimens otherwise identical in appearance have glabrous stems, e.g. Thomas 4321 (17 Oct. 1945) from the same locality as the cited Thomas 3924; and Hooper et al. 1978 from Kigoma District: Mwange market at junction of Kasulu and Ujiji roads. Lye & Rwaburindore 4404 (Mengo District: Bulemezi, near Kakinzi School, 14 Oct. 1969) is similar.

Distribution

Flora districts: U4 K (recorded by Haines & Lye)T4 Range: Mali to Nigeria, Central African Republic, Congo-Kinshasa, Ethiopia