Scleria hilsenbergii Ridl.

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

7. Scleria hilsenbergii Ridl.

Scleria hilsenbergii Ridl.(1884b) 16. — Type: Hilsenberg & Bojer s.n. (lectotype designated here: BM000922714), Madagascar.

Annual. Culms puberulous at least at the base, 30–40 cm long. Leaves 10–15 cm by 1–1.5 mm, glabrous to puberulent. Inflorescence is a terminal lax panicle, 5–10 cm long ( Fig. 1h ); glomerules with 2 – 5 spikelets, held by thin erect branches up to 4 cm long. Spikelets androgynous; glumes 3–4.5 mm long, straw-coloured or reddish, glabrous; glumes bearing female flowers mucronate (0.5–1 mm). Nutlet 1–1.3 by 0.7–1 mm diam, trigonous, densely tuberculate, wrinkles arranged mainly transversally ( Fig. 2i–j ).

Distribution — Endemic to Madagascar.

Habitat & Ecology — Endemic to Central Madagascar, alt. 1000–1700 m. Wetlands, degraded grasslands and secondary forest patches.

Conservation — Scleria hilsenbergii is endemic and widespread in the Central Highland of Madagascar. It is found in Andringitra, Isalo and Marojejy protected areas. There are no specific threats known which affect this species. Therefore, it is here assessed as Least Concern.

Additional specimens. MADAGASCAR, Antananarivo, Analamanga Region , 9 Mar.2010, F.A. Rajaonary 45 (K, MO) ; ibid., June 1961, J. Bosser 15071 (K, TAN) ; Ankatso, 10 Feb.1923, M. Decary 382 (K, P01888589); Itasy Region, Lake Itasy , Jan. 1931, G.F. Scott Elliot 1908 (K, P01888593); Antsirabe, Vontovorona, 2035 m, 1 Apr. 1971, K.A. Lye 5947 (K) ; Fianarantsoa, Apr. 2010, I. Larridon et al. 2010-0268 ( GENT) ; Andringita National Park , 1581 m, Apr. 2010, I. Larridon et al. 2010-0122 ( GENT) ; Toamasina: Besakay , Apr. 1992, A. Dhondt 7 ( GENT) .

Figures

Fig. 1 Main types of inflorescences of Scleria from Madagascar. a. Inflorescence of S. rosea; b. inflorescence of S. trialata; c. inflorescence of S. angusta; d. truncated panicle of S. melanomphala; e. truncated panicle of S. greigiifolia; f. truncated panicle of S. foliosa; g. spicate-glomerulate inflorescence of S. distans; h. panicle of S. hilsenbergii; i. inflorescence of S. lithosperma (a: Ramandimbimanana & Randimbiarison 460; b: Lance 30; c: Mogg 288898; d: Brummit & Singe 232; e: Bosser 15031; f: Raynal 7664; g: Croat 29582; h: Rajaonary 45; i: Frontier-Tanzania Coastal Programme Research Forest 412; all K). — Scale bar: a = 7 cm, b–h = 5 cm, i = 4 cm.

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).