Carex lycurus K.Schum.

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

Type

Type: Tanzania, Lushoto District: W Usambaras, Heboma, Holst 2554 (B†, lecto., K, isolecto.!)(Note: K. Schumann cited two Holst numbers but Haines & Lye have given Holst 2554 as the type. All Cyperaceae were burnt at B except some Cyperus and Eleocharis types.)

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb 0.3–2 m tall with stout tufts from a creeping rhizome, the bases stout and triangular

Morphology Leaves

Leaves up to 60 cm long, (5.5–)7–12.5 mm wide, slightly scabrid to smooth; basal sheaths pale brownish

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Lower bracts 2–14 cm long in some specimens but often not developed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Individual spikes 1.5–2.5 cm long, mainly female with some males at top. Inflorescences green and brown, (3–)6–11.5 cm long, 1–3 cm wide, interrupted and ± lobulate, the stalk scabrid below the inflorescence.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes chestnut with green margins and keel, thin, ovate, lanceolate, 3 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style branches 2

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets dark, 2 mm long including persistent style-base. Utricle greenish often dark or black with age (always?), ovoid-lanceolate, ± 4 mm long, drawn out into a narrow beak forming ± half the length of the utricle, convex side with 6–9(–14) prominent continuous ribs, the beak margins ± scabrid

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

Tanzania, Usambara, Heboma, iii.1893, Holst 2554 (K lectotype, M, Z), lectotypified by Lye (1983).

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb 0.3–2 m tall, with stout tufts from a creeping rhizome, base stout and 3-angled

Morphology Leaves

Leaves to 60 cm long, (5.5)7–12.5 mm wide, slightly scabrid to smooth; basal sheaths pale brownish

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence green and brown, (3)6–11.5 × 1–3 cm, interrupted and ± lobulate, stalk scabrid below inflorescence; lower bracts sometimes 2–4 cm long but often not developed; individual spikes 1.5–2.5 cm long, mainly female, some males at top; female spikelet bracts chestnut with green margins and keel, thin, ovate, lanceolate, 3 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology

Utricle greenish, often dark or black with age, ovoid-lanceolate, c. 4 mm long, drawn out into narrow rostrum for ± half length of utricle, convex side with 6–9(14) prominent continuous ribs, rostrum margin ± scabrid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style branches 2

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets dark, 2 mm long including persistent style base.

Distribution

Zambia, Zimbabwe, Also in Kenya and Tanzania.

Ecology

In upland grassland in wet partly shaded places along streams; 1300–2200 m.

Conservation

Widespread; not threatened.

Recognition

the utricle. Related to several similar-looking species of high altitude wetlands in N & E Africa. The foxtail-shaped inflorescence is immediately distinctive. The 2-branched style, flattened utricle and nutlet occur throughout the subgenus, but are also present in Sect. Praelongae Kük. of subgenus Carex. The sole example from the Flora area is Carex rhodesiaca which, however, has a panicle of pendulous spikes and a papillate surface to

Cyperaceae, Miss S. S. Hooper. Flora of West Tropical Africa 3:2. 1972

Morphology General Habit

Perennial 30–60 cm. high

Vegetative Multiplication Rhizomes

A long creeping rhizome

Morphology Leaves Leaf sheaths

Pale brown basal leaf-sheaths

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

A dense, light yellowish brown inflorescence

Ecology

Montane forests 7,000–8,000 ft.