Bulbostylis macrostachya (Lye) R.W.Haines

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

Type

Type: Tanzania, Mbeya District: Ruaha National Park, Magangwe Hill, Bjørnstad 2228 (O, holo.; K!, iso.)

Morphology General Habit

Robust densely tufted perennial 25–80 cm tall; the thick swollen base covered with old flattened leaf sheaths, often with dense thick long greyish silky hairs within.

Morphology Stem

Stems 0.6–1.5 mm wide, very scabrid

Morphology Leaves

Leaf-blades 5–20 cm long, 0.3–0.5 mm wide, strongly scabrid, straw-coloured to brown

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence of 1 sessile and 3–5 stalked spikelets.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peducles flattened, 0.5–4 cm long, densely scabrid.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts 2–4, with sheathing pale brown base and filiform blade 3–8 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 1–4 cm long, 3–5 mm wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes reddish brown with green midrib, 6–8 mm long, shortly scabrid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet grey to brown, obovoid, triangular, 2–2.3 mm long, 1.3–1.6 mm wide, with longitudinal ribs, surface transversely wrinkled and microscopically rugulose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style-base darker, prominent and persistent. Style branches 3

Ecology

Bushland and Brachystegia woodland; 1350–1600 m

Distribution

Range: N Zambia Flora districts: T4 T7

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, Mbeya Dist., Ruaha Nat. Park, Magangwe Hill, 20.xii.1972, Bjørnstad 2228 (O holotype, K).

Morphology General Habit

Perennial up to 80 cm tall; rhizome woody, with compactly confluent swollen stem bases clothed in soft dull brown to black leaf bases, forming persistent tunics to aerial shoots

Morphology Leaves

Leaves numerous, from quarter or half to equalling culm length; leaf sheaths straw-coloured, sometimes with dense masses of grey hairs, mouth truncate to sloping, long white bearded, ligule 0; leaf blades filiform to linear, 0.3–0.5 mm wide, scabrid

Morphology Culms

Culms 250–800 × 0.5–1.5 mm, terete, several ridged, scabrid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence of a central sessile spikelet and 3–5 stalked spikelets on flattened stalks; bracts 2–4, with pale brown bearded basal part and a 3–8 mm long filiform, scabrid extension

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 10–40 × 3–5 mm, dark reddish brown

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes 6–8 mm long, lower with prolonged scabrid mucro, flanks shortly scabrid, bicoloured reddish brown with green excurrent midrib

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 3-branched, base 3-angled, persistent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet 2–2.3 × 1.5–1.8 mm, trigonous, obovoid, brown to slate grey, surface rugulose.

Distribution

Zambia. Also in Tanzania.

Ecology

Brachystegia woodland with granite outcrops; c. 1500 m.

Conservation

Localised, but probably not threatened.