| Schoenus compar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ivory veldrush | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Schoenus |
| Species: | S. compar |
| Binomial name | |
| Schoenus compar L. | |
 | |
| Documented collection localities in South Africa | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Schoenus compar (ivory veldrush) is a species of sedge endemic to southern South Africa.
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. compar. [1]
This species is one of the more conspicuous Southern African Schoenus species. [1] Key diagnostic characters include papery, ivory leaf sheaths, as well as compact and thick inflorescences. [1] The spikelet glumes are relatively firm and viscous, and range in colour from gold when young to reddish-brown when mature. [1] Part of the plant is viscous, especially the culm bases and inflorescences. [1]
Schoenus compar is a species in family Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae. [3] Other notable genera in tribe Schoeneae include Lepidosperma , Oreobolus , Costularia, Tetraria and Gahnia . [3] [4] [5] The most closely related species to S. compar are other southern African Schoenus species, specifically, species in the Schoenus compar - Schoenus pictus group. [1]
Southern African Schoenus were once classified as Tetraria; however, based on molecular and morphological differences, we now know that the two groups are 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]
Schoenus compar mostly occurs in southwestern South Africa, although it reaches Humansdorp in the East and the Cederberg mountains in the north. [1] It is a species that grows on coarser growing substrates (e.g. sand or rocks) at lower elevations (20 m to over 800 m) than other Southern African Schoenus species. [1] This species mostly grows on dry sites among fynbos vegetation. [1]
Schoenus arenicola is a species of sedge endemic to the south-west coast of 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 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 triticoides is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of southern 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 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 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.
Schoenus selinae is a species of sedge endemic to the Western Cape Province and western areas of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.