Tetraria usambarensis K.Schum.

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

Type

Type: Tanzania, Usambara Mountains, Holst 131 (B†, holo)

Morphology General Habit

Slender perennial, up to 60 cm tall; rounded base enclosed in black fibres, the remains of old leaf bases.

Morphology Culms

Culms tufted, rounded-trigonous, 10–50 cm long, 0.5–1.5 mm wide, with longitudinal ridges, glabrous

Morphology Leaves

Leaves basal and up the stem. Leaf sheaths blackened, 3.5–5 cm long; basal leaves shorter than culm; cauline leaves linear, involute, flexuous above, 27–33 cm long, 1.2–2 mm wide, some exceeding the culm, rigid, apex often blackened, acuminate, scabrid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a simple panicle, 5–15 cm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 1–5 per cluster, ovoid, 5–10 mm long, 1.5–3.5 mm wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes 8–11 per spikelet, distichously arranged, brown, lower 7–9 empty, ovateelliptic, 4.5–5 mm long, 2.5–3.5 mm wide, awned, upper 2 subtending bisexual flowers, ovate, 5.5–7 mm long, 1.5–3 mm wide, keel 1-veined ending in the acuminate to awned apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth bristles 3–6, minute, scabrid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 5–6 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers 4–4.5 mm long, with conspicuous flat elongate connectives far exceeding the anthers

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style long, flexuous, base pyramidal, hispidulous, persistent, branches 3, densely hairy

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet brown, ovoid-ellipsoid to obovoid, 3–4 mm long, 1.5–1.8 mm wide, with 3 strong pale-coloured ribs, on a stalk ± 1 mm long

Ecology

Dry sandy places; 1750 m

Distribution

Range: Not known elsewhere Flora districts: T3