| Schoenus filiculmis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Wiry veldrush | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Schoenus |
| Species: | S. filiculmis |
| Binomial name | |
| Schoenus filiculmis T.L.Elliott & Muasya | |
 | |
| Documented collection localities | |
Schoenus filiculmis is a species of sedge endemic to the western mountains of the Western Cape and Northern Cape Provinces of South Africa. [1]
Key diagnostic characters of S. filiculmis are its relatively short stature (<275 mm) and thin leaves and flowering stems. [1] The leaves are generally less than 0.5 mm in width, whereas the width of the flowering stems is less than 0.8 mm. [1] The flowering stem (inflorescence) of S. filiculmis is generally quite small and delicate, with a length less than 28.5 mm long and a width less than 4.6 mm. [1] The primary inflorescence bracts are relatively short compared to most Southern African Schoenus species; however, they do have slight lateral membranaceous extensions similar to species such as Schoenus pseudoloreus . [1] Finally, the leaf sheaths and inflorescences can be dark red to almost black in some specimens of S. filiculmis. [1]
The narrow flowering stems and leaves of S. filiculmis, as well as its delicate inflorescences with short primary inflorescence bracts distinguish this species from others in the Schoenus compar – Schoenus pictus group. [1] This key characters of this species are also unique from others in the Schoenus cuspidatus and allies and Epischoenus groups, which are the other two main groups of Southern African Schoenus species. [2]
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. [3] However, hybridization is yet to be observed in S. filiculmis. [1]
The mature nutlet of S. filiculmis is also yet to be observed. [1]
Schoenus filiculmis is a species in family Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae. [2] Other notable genera in tribe Schoeneae include Lepidosperma , Oreobolus , Costularia, Tetraria and Gahnia . [2] [4] [5] Preliminary evidence suggests that although S. filiculmis shares some morphological characters with the S. compar – S. pictus group (e.g. primary inflorescence bracts with lateral membranes), [1] its evolutionary origin is slightly different.
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 filiculmis grows in the western mountains of the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa. [1] This species generally grows within wet to arid fynbos vegetation on mountain slopes. [1]
Schoenus compar is a species of sedge endemic to southern South Africa.
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 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 galpinii is a species of sedge endemic to eastern southern 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 gracillimus is a species of sedge endemic to 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 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 rigidus is a species of sedge endemic to locations near central regions of the southern coast 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.