Ficinia montana Tshiila & Muasya, 2017

Tshiila, Aluwani A., Chimphango, Samson B. M., Viljoen, Jan-Adriaan & Muasya, A. Muthama, 2017, Two new species in the Ficinia indica complex (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from South Africa, Phytotaxa 295 (1), pp. 49-59 : 55-56

Ficinia montana Tshiila & Muasya , sp. nov. ( Fig. 3 )

S imilar to Ficinia indica , differing in habit (mat-forming vs. erect), plant height (below 250 mm vs. to 900 mm), and restricted to mountains above 800 m elevation (vs. typically below 600 m).

Type: — SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape: Worcester, Matroosberg Nature Reserve , 08 December 2002, A.M. Muasya 2335b (holotype BOL!; isotype NBG!) .

Provisionally referred to as “ F. aff. indica MF ” ( Tshiila 2012), or “Taxon A”.

Perennial, short rhizome to 10–30 mm diameter. Culms 25–200 mm tall, 0.9–1.2 mm thick, but ca. 2.0 mm thick across the rim of the leaf sheath, glabrous. Leaf sheath 7–58 mm long, glabrous, not papery, wine-red, not sticky, lacking ligule. Leaf blade 15–82 mm long and 0.4–1.5 mm wide, glabrous, canaliculate. Involucral bracts 3–5, leaf-like and erect, 5–29 mm long, glabrous. Inflorescence capitate, 5.0–8.0 mm diameter, each with over 10–15 spikelets. Spikelets 2.3–5.5×1.0–3.0 mm, terete, dark brown, florets bisexual. Glumes 2.1–5.0 mm long, boat-shaped with a mucro to 0.5 mm long; margins entire. Stamens 3, anthers crested. Style trifid. Nutlets 0.7–2.0 × 0.5–1.5 mm, dark brown, papillose; hypogynous disc to 0.2 mm long, cupular, 6–9-lobed.

Distribution and ecology: —Known from sandstone mountains in the Cape Region, occurring at 1500–2000 m in elevation. Such habitats are dominated by fynbos vegetation and frequently experience winter freezing and snow.

Etymology: — The epithet montana refers to the habitat of this species, on top of the mountains, which is unique among the species in the F. indica complex.

Conservation status: —This species is widespread and occurs in areas that are mostly protected. Therefore we consider it to be of Least Concern based on the IUCN (2012) criteria.

Additional specimens studied: — SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape Province. Clanwilliam: Cedarberg, Eastern side of Sneeuwberg, 3219AC, 10 October 1946, E. Esterhuysen 13093 (BOL; PRE); Pakhuis Mountain above Kliphuis, Rock ridge, 2319AA, 12 August 1883, H.C. Taylor 10586 (NBG; PRE); 4 September 1963, H.C. Taylor 5127 (NBG; PRE); Heuningkloof, 16 January 1953, E. Esterhuysen 21140 (BOL). Worcester: Matroosberg Nature Reserve, 19 January 1959, E. Esterhuysen 28148 (BOL; PRE); 5 April 1958, E. Esterhuysen 27676 (BOL); December 1895, R. Marloth 2287 (NBG); Waaihoek, 17 September 1943, E. Esterhuysen 8977 (NBG); Keeromsberg, 22 November 1956, E. Esterhuysen 26609 (BOL); Agter Witsenberg, 30 September 2009, A.M. Muasya 4581 (BOL); Roodeberg, 27 December 1952, E. Esterhuysen 20926 (BOL). Ladismith, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Touwskloof, 14 December 2002, A.M. Muasya 2372 (BOL).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Ficinia montana. Habit. Photographer: Petra Muller.