Bulbostylis Kunth. Common name: Hairsedge.
A genus of about 100 species, herbs, of tropical and warm temperate areas, concentrated especially in tropical Africa and tropical South America.
ID notes: Bulbostylis are small tufted plants (with wirelike or threadlike culms (flowering stems) and leaves, 5-40 (-50) cm tall. The inflorescence is branched and open, or compact. Each spikelet is composed of several to many tiny florets, arranged spirally in our species. Bulbostylis have persistent styles (mostly 3-fid), trigonous achenes (in our flora), and the leaf abaxial midrib keeled while Fimbristylis have fimbriate, deciduous styles (2-fid or 3-fid), achenes biconvex or trigonous, and leaf abaxial midribs not keeled.
Key advice:Key ID features to note include size and ornamentation of the achenes and whether plants are annual or perennial.
References: Goetghebeur (1998) In Kubitzki (1998b); Kral (1971); Kral (2002c) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2002b). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.
© Keith Bradley | Bulbostylis warei | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Bulbostylis capillaris ssp. capillaris | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Bulbostylis coarctata | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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