Ficinia gracilis Schrad.

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

Type

Type: South Africa, Cape of Good Hope, herb. Thouars (P, holo.)

Morphology General Habit

Tufted perennial with a short woody rhizome to 2 mm thick.

Morphology Culms

Culm 15–46 cm tall and 0.8–1.1 mm thick, but ± 1.6 mm thick across the sheath, terete, glabrous

Morphology Leaves

Leafsheath brown to blackish, 3–7 cm long, glabrous; blade 7–29 cm long and 0.8–1 mm wide, canaliculate to flat, margins scabrid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts 2–3, 2–4.5 cm long and 0.4–0.8 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a terminal non-proliferating head of 6–25 spikelets.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 3–7 mm long and 1.4–2.5 mm wide, terete.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes reddish brown to almost blackish, 2.5–3.3 mm long (including the 0.1–0.4 mm long recurved mucro), each side of midrib 0.8–1 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers 1.5–2.1 mm long, crested

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style trifid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet brownish, ovoid, 1.2–1.4 mm long and 0.8–0.9 mm wide, smooth; gynophore ± 1/3 the length of nutlet, upper margin 3-lobed

Figures

Fig. 19, p119

Ecology

Upland grassland and moorland; 2400–4500 m

Distribution

Flora districts: U1 K3 K4 T2 T6 T7 Range: South Africa