| Schoenus arenicola | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sand veldrush | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Schoenus |
| Species: | S. arenicola |
| Binomial name | |
| Schoenus arenicola T.L.Elliott & Muasya | |
 | |
| Documented collection localities in South Africa | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Schoenus arenicola is a species of sedge endemic to the south-west coast of South Africa.
Key diagnostic characters of this sand-loving species include reddish-brown leaf sheaths and relatively narrow flowering heads (inflorescences) with generally three to six spikelets. [1] The leaves of this species are usually less than half the length of the culm and the nutlet beak is continuous with the body of the nutlet. [1]
Schoenus arenicola is most similar to Schoenus compar ; however, the former species has shorter leaves and reddish-brown leaf sheaths compared to the longer leaves and ivory leaf sheaths of S. compar. [1]
Similar to other sedges, plants in this group are very difficult to identify. It appears that part of this problem is caused by the tendency of the southern African Schoenus to form hybrids with each other. [2] However, hybridization is yet to be observed in S. arenicola. [1]
Schoenus arenicola is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae. [3] Other genera in tribe Schoeneae include Lepidosperma , Oreobolus , Costularia , Tetraria and Gahnia . [3] [4] [5]
Southern African Schoenus were once classified as Tetraria; however, based on molecular and morphological differences, the two groups are considered evolutionary distinct. [6] To ensure that this group of sedges is monophyletic (i.e. the genus only has closely related species), several species of Epischoenus and the southern African Tetraria were transferred into Schoenus. [6] In the field, the southern African Schoenus can be distinguished from Tetraria species by their lack of stem leaves and the absence of reticulate sheaths at the bases of the flowering stems. [6]
Closely related species include the Schoenus compar - Schoenus pictus group. [1]
Schoenus arenicola mostly occurs near the south-western coast of South Africa, ranging from the Knysna area in the east to the Cape Peninsula in the west. [1] This species usually grows among fynbos vegetation at low elevations on well-drained sandy sites. [1]
Schoenus compar is a species of sedge endemic to southern South Africa.
Schoenus pictus is a species of sedge endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is a species usually found on mountain slopes.
Schoenus pseudoloreus is a species of sedge endemic to the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. Its range also reaches the western border of Eastern Cape Province.
Schoenus megacarpus is a species of sedge endemic to the south-central region of South Africa.
Schoenus filiculmis is a species of sedge endemic to the western mountains of the Western Cape and Northern Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Schoenus ligulatus is a species of sedge endemic to the western regions of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Schoenus albovaginatus is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of south-western South Africa.
Schoenus bracteosus is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of southern South Africa.
Schoenus comparoides is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of southern South Africa.
Schoenus compactus is a species of sedge endemic to south-western South Africa.
Schoenus crassus is a species of sedge endemic to south-western South Africa.
Schoenus riparius is a species of sedge endemic to the Cape Peninsula of South Africa.
Schoenus aureus is a species of sedge endemic to the western mountains of the Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Schoenus dregeanus is a species of sedge endemic to mountainous locations in south-western South Africa.
Schoenus complanatus is a species of sedge endemic to the western mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Schoenus lucidus is a species of sedge endemic to the western mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Schoenus neovillosus is a species of sedge endemic to the south-western mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Schoenus brunnescens is a species of sedge endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Schoenus graciliculmis is a species of sedge endemic to regions of the southern Eastern Cape Province and nearby regions of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Schoenus crinitus is a species of sedge endemic to the Worcester region of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.