Schoenus calceolus | |
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Limestone veldrush | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Cyperaceae |
Genus: | Schoenus |
Species: | S. calceolus |
Binomial name | |
Schoenus calceolus T.L.Elliott & Muasya | |
Documented collection localities |
Schoenus calceolus is a species of sedge endemic to limestone-derived soils in the Agulhas Plain region of South Africa. [1]
A unique diagnostic character of S. calceolus is the flat culm bases held together by a thin translucent sheath, which can sometimes be twisted. [1]
Schoenus calceolus has ovate spikelets that are similar in form to those of Schoenus prophyllus and Schoenus purpurascens . [1] Compared to the wider, non-channelled leaves of S. purpurascens, those of S. calceolus are channelled and more slender. [1] In addition, S. calceolus has less firm prophylls that are not shiny in contrast to the shiny and relatively long prophylls of S. prophyllus. [1] The prophyll mucros (awns) of S. prophyllus are relatively long (>3.0 mm) compared to the relatively short mucros (<2.4 mm) of S. calceolus. [1]
Schoenus prophyllus often grows in close proximity to S. calceolus, but the flattened culm base and straight leaves of the latter species differ from those of S. prophyllus, whose leaves curl with age. [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] It is not clear whether S. calceolus forms hybrids with other southern African Schoenus species. [1]
Schoenus calceolus is a species in family Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae. [1] Other genera in tribe Schoeneae include Lepidosperma , Oreobolus , Costularia , Tetraria and Gahnia . [1] [3] [4] The most closely related species to S. calceolus are other southern African Schoenus species, specifically, species in the S. cuspidatus and allies group growing in close geographic proximity. [1]
Southern African Schoenus were once classified as Tetraria; however, based on molecular and morphological differences, the two groups are evolutionary distinct. [5] 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. [5] 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. [5]
Schoenus calceolus is a species from the Agulhas Plain region of South Africa. [1] It is primarily a species of limestone-derived soils, growing at elevations below 150 m. [1]
Schoenus quartziticus is a species of sedge endemic to the Agulhas Plain region of the Western Cape Province in southern South Africa.
Schoenus prophyllus is a species of sedge endemic to the Agulhas Plain region of Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Schoenus ligulatus is a species of sedge endemic to the western regions of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Schoenus exilis is a species of sedge endemic to the western areas of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Schoenus bolusii is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. However, S. bolusii is not found on the Cape Peninsula.
Schoenus submarginalis is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa.
Schoenus limosus is a species of sedge endemic to the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. It is predominantly a species of wet grasslands, which explains its common name.
Schoenus purpurascens is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of the southwestern part of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, with its distribution centered around the Caledon area.
Schoenus bracteosus is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of southern 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 galpinii is a species of sedge endemic to eastern southern Africa.
Schoenus adnatus is a species of sedge endemic to mountainous locations in southern regions of South Africa.
Schoenus complanatus 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 australis is a species of sedge endemic to locations near the southern coast 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 inconspicuus is a species of sedge endemic to south-western areas 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.