| Schoenus pictus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Yellow veldrush | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Schoenus |
| Species: | S. pictus |
| Binomial name | |
| Schoenus pictus (Boeckeler) Kuntze | |
 | |
| Documented collection localities in South Africa | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
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.
Key diagnostic characters of S. pictus are its relatively firm and thick bracts that surrounding the flower clusters (spikes). These bracts are often yellow-brown in colour in young plants and they envelop the spikes. [1] In addition, the leaf sheaths and part of the flowering stems are usually sticky. [1]
The prominent bracts surrounding the spikes combined with the sticky (viscous) leaf bases distinguish S. pictus from other Southern African Schoenus species.
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. pictus. [1]
Schoenus pictus 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. pictus 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 pictus grows throughout the western mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Most reports of this species are from high mountain slopes surrounded by fynbos vegetation, often from damp sites. [1]
Schoenus quartziticus is a species of sedge endemic to the Agulhas Plain region of the Western Cape Province in southern South Africa.
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 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 crassiculmis is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Few collections of this species have also been made from western areas of the Eastern Cape Province.
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 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 australis is a species of sedge endemic to locations near the southern coast 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.