Scleria baronii C.B.Clarke

Goetghebeur, P. & Larridon, I., 2019, A revision of Scleria (Cyperaceae) in Madagascar, Blumea 64 (3), pp. 195-213 : 208

21. Scleria baronii C.B.Clarke

Scleria baronii C.B. Clarke (1895) 669. — Type: Baron 4296 (lectotype designated here: K000363341; isolectotype P00457088), Madagascar, Antananarivo, 1889.

Perennial with a robust rhizome. Culm 1–2.5 m by 5–6 mm. Leaves 30–40 by 2.5 cm, pseudopraemorse, glabrous; contraligule triangular, puberulous on the surface, margin membranous and reddish, inner nerves curved outwards following the margin. Inflorescence with leafy bracts, lateral panicles always solitary at the nodes; panicles lax, copiously branched, basal secondary branches over 4 cm long; laterals 10–12 cm long; peduncles 3 cm, longer than the internodes. Spikelets unisexual or subandrogynous; glumes 3–4 mm long, dark purple, female mucronate, glabrous, prophyll puberulous. Nutlet ovoid, 2.5–3 mm long, 2–2.5 mm diam, white to purplish, smooth, shinny; hypogynium very reduced, cupule very thick and dark ( Fig. 2e ).

Distribution — Endemic to Madagascar.

Habitat & Ecology — Mid and low altitude evergreen forests, alt. 500–1600 m.

Conservation — Although endemic to Madagascar, Scleria baronii is a widespread species. It occurs within protected areas such as Ambohitantely and Andohahela. Since there are no specific threats which affect this species, it is here assessed as Least Concern.

Additional specimens. MADAGASCAR, Antananarivo, 1889, R. Baron 4296 (K000363341, P00457088) ; Antsiranana, Diana , 500 m, H. Perrier de la Bâthie 2632 (P00457087) ; Fianarantsoa, Ambohimitombo Forest, Jan.1895, Forsyth Major 205 (K); Ivohibe, Marovitsika Forest , 17 Oct. 2000, P. Hoffman et al. 221 (K, P01898846) ; Toamasina, 11 Dec. 1958, Réserves Naturelles 9632 (P01896595, P01896596); Alaotra-Mangoro, 987 m, 14 Feb. 2007, P. Antilahimena 5872 ( MO, P01708459 , TAN) ; Alaotra-Mangoro , 993 m, 14 Feb.2007, P.Antilahimena 5349 ( MO, P01670451 , TAN) ; Toamasina, 900 m, Sept.1953, J.M. Bosser 6569 (P01896592,P020640250) ; ibid., 900–1200 m, Sept. 1937, H. Humbert 18035 (P02640249) .

Note — The reduced hypogynium led Chermezon (1937) to place it in sect. Elatae.

Figures

Fig. 2 Nutlets of Scleria species occurring in Madagascar. a–b. S. madagascariensis; c–d. S. trialata; e. S. baronii; f. S. perpusilla; g–h. S. rosea; i–j. S. hilsenbergii; k–l. S. rutenbergiana; m–n. S. angusta; o. S. andringitrensis (a–b: Rakotozafy 2741; c–d: Lance 30; e. Hoffman 221; f. Decary 7695; g–h: Ranarivelo 282; i–j. Rajaonary 45; k–l: Wilkin 941; m–n: Boivin s.n.; o: Perrier de la Bâthie 14385; all K).