Scleria distans var. chondrocarpa (Nelmes) Lye

Goetghebeur, P. & Larridon, I., 2019, A revision of Scleria (Cyperaceae) in Madagascar, Blumea 64 (3), pp. 195-213 : 203

6. Scleria distans var. chondrocarpa (Nelmes) Lye

Scleria distans var. chondrocarpa (Nelmes) Lye (1983) 243. — Scleria hirtella var. chondrocarpa Nelmes (1955) 451. — Type: Thomas 95 (holotype K000321076; isotype KAW), Uganda, Bugala Island, Kalangala, 1170 m, 5 June 1932.

Shares all characters with the type variety but has ornamented nutlets, i.e., nutlets are transversely wrinkled or tuberculate (although not equally pronounced across the specimens).

Distribution — Eastern Africa and Madagascar.

Habitat & Ecology — In Madagascar, it is found in canopy gaps, degraded mid altitude evergreen forest, and grasslands, alt. 700–1600 m. Less frequent along the low altitude evergreen forest.

Conservation — Scleria distans var. chondrocarpa is widely distributed in Eastern Africa and Madagascar, and there are no specific threats which affect this species. Therefore, it is here assessed as Least Concern.

Additional specimens. MADAGASCAR, 7 May 1912, P.A. Methuen s.n. (K); Antananarivo, Ankazobe , 25 Mar. 1930, R. Decary 7711 (P01707753, TAN); Ivato , 1365 m , 25 Jan. 1975, T.B. Croat 29582 (K, MO, P01896575 ); Intremo Massif , 1300–1400 m , 27 Jan. 1975, T.B. Croat 29888 (K, MO, P01896573 ); Central Madagascar , Oct. 1881, R. Baron 801 (K); Aug. 1880, G.W. Parker 23 (K); Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana National Park , 1205 m , 21 Apr. 2010, I. Larridon et al. 2010-0241 ( GENT); ibid., 1128 m , 21 Apr. 2010, I. Larridon et al. 2010-0229 ( GENT); ibid., 1178 m , 21 Apr. 2010, I. Larridon et al. 2010-0248 ( GENT); ibid., RN 7, PK 294, 1717 m , 22 Apr. 2010, I. Larridon et al. 2010-0279 ( GENT); Ambohimitombo Forest , 1350–1440 m , Jan. 1895, Forsyth Major 226 (K); 33 km south of Irondro 600 m , 26 Mar. 1993, D. Turk & M. Beck 367 (K); Ambohimahamasina, 1941, Herbier. Jard. Bot 4550 (K, TAN); South Midongy National Park , 2 Mar. 1927, R. Decary 4980 (K); Toamasina , 15 Feb. 1930, R. Decary 7137 (P01707752).

Note — The drooping glomerules with black hairs make it very similar to the annual Scleria melanotricha Hochst. & A.Rich. However , S. melanotricha does not have a creeping rhizome and its nutlet has three conspicuous tubercles mixed with three smooth bands and an orange rugose rim on the stipe. Scleria melanotricha is restricted to mainland Africa. In addition, S. distans var. chondrocarpa has been confused many times with S. hirtella , another annual very similar in appearance. However, S. hirtella is a strictly American species ( Raynal 1976, Camelbeke et al. 2001).