Cyperaceae

Costularia C.B.Clarke

First published in W.H.Harvey & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Cap. 7: 274 (1898)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is S. Tropical & S. Africa, W. Indian Ocean.

Descriptions

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

Morphology General Habit
Tufted perennial herbs; rhizome woody, laterally branched
Morphology Culms
Culms erect, densely clothed by leaves; radical with poorly defined sheaths, cauline enveloping up to ½ internode length; margins scabrid,eligulate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence paniculate, branching from nodes
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets
Spikelets numerous, solitary or paired
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume
Glumes subdistichous, 6–12, proximal 3–9 sterile
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets
Florets 2, lower usually functionally male with rudimentary gynoecium; perianth bristles 3 + 3, fimbriate proximally, ciliate distally deciduous with fruit
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 3
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style
Style trifid, base often thickened, persistent
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Nutlets ovate to oblong, rounded to 3-ribbed, somewhat stipitate, beaked, smooth to rugulose.
Distribution
A genus of medium-sized to tall perennials; some species may appear as dwarf shrubs with a caudex. One species in Africa and about 25 species from Madagascar, other West Indian Islands and New Caledonia.
Ecology
Species favour rather dry, sandy or rocky places on mountain slopes.
[FZ]

Sources

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0