Bulbostylis flexuosa (Ridl.) Goetgh.

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

Angola, Pundo Andongo, near Banza do Soba de Umbilla, iii.1857, Welwitsch 6828 (BM syntype, LISU); between Candumba and Matamma, iii.1857, Welwitsch 6829 (BM syntype, LISU).

Morphology General Habit

Erect or drooping and flexuous annual up to 50 cm tall; rhizome and tunic of leaf bases lacking

Morphology Leaves

Leaves numerous, ½ to occasionally few equalling culm length; leaf sheath mouth conspicuously long white-fringed, ligule 0; leaf blades to 250 × 0.2–0.4 mm, filiform, scabrid on margins and nerves

Morphology Culms

Culms 1.5–1.8 mm wide, ridged and furrowed, glabrous to scabrid apically

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence anthelate, variable, of central spikelet or head of spikelets with 4–5 scabrid inflorescence branches, c. 60–100 mm long, sometimes spikelets on inflorescence branches very compacted; bracts 3–4, to 150 mm long, hispid, basally long white-fringed, apically narrowed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 5–11 × 2 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes spiral, 2.5–3.2 mm long, light brown, rounded to subacute, hispidulous, 3-nerved (ending prior to apex in lower glumes, upper ends as a small mucro with spines), margins apically fimbriolate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style glabrous, dark brown basally, style base round, vertically flattened, persistent on nutlet, branches 3, usually shorter than style

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlet 0.7–0.8 × 0.6–0.7 mm, white to pale brown at maturity, obovoid, trigonous, surface transversely rugulose (c. 11–12 narrow bands), 3 ridges appearing minutely papillate (× 40).

Distribution

Zambia Also in Angola and D.R. Congo.

Ecology

Brachystegia and disturbed woodland on sandy soils; 1000–1400 m.

Conservation

Moderately widespread; not threatened.

Recognition

Bulbostylis flexuosa is a robust annual distinguished by its thick stem and large branching inflorescence with many spikelets on long thin stalks. The culm may be glabrous whilst in other collections it is scabridulous.