| Schoenus triticoides | |
|---|---|
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| Wheat Veldrush | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Schoenus |
| Species: | S. triticoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Schoenus triticoides T.L.Elliott & Muasya | |
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| Documented collection localities in South Africa | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
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Schoenus triticoides is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of southern South Africa.
Schoenus triticoides is a species with ivory coloured culm bases and leaf sheaths, which are open and membranaceous. [1] The inflorescence of this species is a relatively long and straw coloured spike-like panicle that somewhat resembles the flowering heads of wheat. [1] The primary inflorescence bracts of this species have membranaceous extensions (i.e. auricles) that are expanded at their base. [1]
Schoenus triticoides most resembles Schoenus aureus [2] vegetatively, but the inflorescence of S. triticoides is longer compared to the shorter, more compact panicles of S. aureus. [1] Another difference is that the veins on the primary inflorescence bracts of S. triticoides are more pronounced compared to the more inconspicuous veins of S. aureus. [1]
Plants in the southern African Schoenus clade are very difficult to identify, which is similar to other sedges. It appears that part of this problem is caused by the tendency of the southern African Schoenus to form hybrids with each other. [3] It is not clear whether S. triticoides forms hybrids with other southern African Schoenus species, but if it does, it would most likely hybridize with species in the Schoenus compar – Schoenus pictus and allies group. [2]
Schoenus triticoides is a species in family Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae. [1] Other notable genera in tribe Schoeneae include Lepidosperma , Oreobolus , Costularia, Tetraria and Gahnia . [4] [5] The most closely related species to S. triticoides are other southern African Schoenus species, specifically, species in the Schoenus compar – Schoenus pictus and allies group. [2]
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 triticoides is known to occur near Tierhuiskloof in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it has been observed growing along a jeep trail on a lower mountain slope. [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 filiculmis is a species of sedge endemic to the western mountains of the Western Cape and Northern Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Schoenus auritus is a species of sedge endemic to southern and eastern 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 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 neovillosus is a species of sedge endemic to the south-western mountains 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.
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.