Cyperus kernii (Raymond) Bauters

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

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

Morphology General Habit

Stems 2–25 cm. long

Diagnostic

Somewhat stouter than Ascolepis dipsacoides which it resembles in the head of spikelets with squarrose glumes

Ecology

Damp ground or marshes.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/177208/7390233

Conservation

LC - least concern

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

Senegal, Simiti, 12.i.1954, Berhaut 4692 (MT holotype, P).

Morphology General Habit

Tufted annual with thin roots; stem 2–40 cm long, 0.5–1.5 mm across

Morphology Leaves

Leaves to 16 cm long, 2 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts 2–5, largest to 15 cm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal, with (1)2–8 spikes, 2–8 × 1.5–5 mm, ovoidal-Spikelet bract 1.45–2.6 × 0.4–0.55 mm, elliptical to obovate, apical part 0.7–1.5 mm long, (very) long acuminate, scaberulous at top, body yellowish green to pale brown with red dots, top yellow; spikelet prophyll and glume absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen 1, anthers 0.2–0.25 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 0.1 mm or shorter, with 2 branches

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet 0.45–0.65 × 0.3–04 mm, frontally obovate with very small style base remnant, dorsiventrally flattened and elliptical to narrowly rhombic in cross-section.

Distribution

Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi. From Senegal and Ethiopia south to Zimbabwe.

Ecology

On seasonally wet sandy soils, in swamps and grasslands on shallow soil; 400–1000 m.

Conservation

Widespread; not threatened.

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

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets obovoid, 0.4–0.7 × 0.3–0.4 mm, with small style base remnant, rhombic or elliptic in cross-section and dorsiventrally flattened. Tubercular

Ecology

Swamp or regenerating woodland; 300–?1600 m

Type

Type: Senegal, Berhaut 4692 (MT, holo.; P, iso.)

Morphology General Habit

Tufted annual.

Morphology Roots

Roots thin.

Morphology Stem

Stem 2–40 cm tall, 0.5–1.5 mm across

Morphology Leaves

Leaves to 16 cm long, to 2 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts 2–5, the largest to 15 cm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal with (1–)2–8 ovoid spikes 2–8 × 1.5–5 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelet bracts yellowgreen to pale brown with red dots and a yellow apex, ellipsoidal to obovate, 1.4–2.6 × 0.4–0.6 mm, long-acuminate, scabridulous at apex; prophyll and glume absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen 1.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers 0.2–0.3 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 0.1 mm or less, 2-branched

Distribution

Flora districts: T4 T6 Range: From Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Zimbabwe