Chapter XVI: Part 16
Root fibrous; stems tufted. Leaves as long as stem. Head green to brown, globose, usually of 1 spike, ⅓ in. diam.; bracts 3, up to 4 in. long; spikelets numerous; fertile glume 1 with a toothed winged keel; nuts dull-brown.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid & J. Kurbaj); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=K. controversa= _Steud._ =var. subexalata= _C. B. Clarke._
Roots, stems and leaves as above, but sheaths of last much torn. Head globose of usually 3 spikes; bracts 3-4, up to 6 in. long; spikelets numerous; fertile glume 1, keel with narrow ciliate wing.
Kordofan Prov. (J. Kurbaj).
=K. polyphylla= _Willd._
Rhizome short, thick; stems 10-20 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves up to ab. 1 ft. long. Head of 1, sometimes 3, orange-green spikes; bracts 5-8, sometimes over 4 in. long; spikes ⅓ in. diam., ovoid; fertile glume in spikelet 1, wingless; nuts red-brown.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=K. sphærocephala= _Boeck._
Rhizome slender; stems 1 ft. long, slender. Leaves up to 8 in. long. Head pale cinnamon-coloured, globose, ¼ in. diam.; spike 1; bracts 2-3, up to 2 in. long; spikelets with 1, 4-ribbed fertile glume; nut yellow- brown.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=K. pumila= _Mich._
Roots fibrous; stems tufted, 4-18 in. long, slender; sheaths reddish. Leaves up to ab. 1 ft. long. Head green or greenish-white; spikes 1-3, middle spike ab. ⅓ in. long; bracts 2-4, 2-6 in. long; spikelets dense; fertile glume 1, rarely 2, not winged; nut yellow-brown.
Nubia; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).
825 =Pycreus flavescens= _Nees._
Annual; stems 1-12 in. long. Leaves up to 8 in., crowded close to the base. Spikes 1 or more, loosely umbelled, of 3-12 clustered ebracteolate spikelets; bracts 2-4, overtopping umbel; spikelets straw-coloured, red- tinged; fertile glumes 8-36, boat-shaped; nuts whitish, laterally compressed.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Kordofan Prov. (Rahad); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Main River: Nuer country; Bongo: Addai).
=P. Mundtii= _Nees._ UMTUGG (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Stems 8-24 in. long, decumbent and rooting at base and clothed with leaf-sheaths up to ¾ of its length. Leaves 4-10 in. long. Spikes usually in many-rayed simple umbels, rarely subcompound or 1 spike only, bearing 3-8 ebracteolate spikelets; bracts 4 to many, overtopping the umbel; spikelets containing 12-16 fertile glumes, brown; nuts biconvex, dotted.
Khartoum Prov.; North Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Kallokitting 4,000 ft.); Upper White Nile Prov. (mouth of Sobat River & Khor Attar); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (mouth of Bahr El Arab); Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).
=P. nitens= _Nees._
Annual; stems tufted up to 12 in. long. Leaves ab. same length. Umbels simple; spikes 1-6; bracts 3-6, ½-6 in. long; spikelets straw-coloured, 5-30 per spike; fertile glumes 8-44, boat-shaped; nuts pale-brown, laterally compressed.
Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad).
=P. polystachyos= _P. Beauv._
Roots fibrous; stems tufted, 12-30 in. long. Leaves basal, up to length of stem. Umbels usually compound of 1-7 rays; spikes of 10-50 ebracteolate spikelets; bracts 3-6, 4-12 in. long; fertile glumes in spikelet 20-50; straw-coloured or reddish; nut brown.
=var. laxiflora= _Benth._
Spikes open, subcorymbose or umbellate; spikelets subsolitary.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=P. globosus= _Reichb._ =var. nilagirica= _C. B. Clarke._
Annual or biennial; stems tufted, 1-2 ft. long. Leaves up to 16 in. long. Umbels 1-6 in. diam., simple or compound or 1 compound head, bracts 3-5, lowest overtopping inflorescence; spikelets up to ¾ in. long, compressed, dark-brown; fertile glumes 8-30; nuts blackish.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei R.).
=P. propinquus= _Nees._
Stems and leaves 12-18 in. long. Spikes 10-16 in 1 compound, pale-yellow head; bracts 3, 3-7 in. long; spikelets ½ in. long; fertile glumes 20-36, slightly inflated; nuts red-brown.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=P. capillifolius= _C. B. Clarke._
Annual; stems tufted, very slender, 4-8 in. long. Leaves same length, almost hair-like. Head 1, lateral, of 4-18 ebracteolate spikelets which are ½-¾ in. long and have 10-30 fertile, pale-yellow inflated glumes; bracts 2, 1-2½ in. long; nut black, smooth, half the length of glume.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=P. elegantulus= _C. B. Clarke._
Annual; stems 8-28 in. long. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, narrow. Umbel of 1-7 dense, compound spikes, each of 5-30 dense spikelets or by congestion forming a mass of 80 spikelets or more; bracts 3-5, 3-9 in. long; spikelets up to ⅔ in. long, ebracteolate, 6-16 fld.; glumes not overlapping in fruit, dark-brown with green keel; nut obovoid, ab. ½ length of glume; style short.
Between Khartoum & Shendi.
=P. umbrosus= _Nees._
Rhizome woody, giving out suckers 12 in. long or more, clothed with dark-brown scales; stems 12-18 in. long. Leaves ⅙ in. broad, longer than stem; sheaths fleshy, with transverse lines. Umbels subsimple, rays 3-7, up to 2 in. long; bracts 4, lowest 6 in. long; spikes of 3-8 ebracteolate spikelets; spikelets 16-fld., brown to black, keels yellowish-brown or green; style shorter than nut, which is ¼ length of glume, dark-brown.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (main river: Nuer villages).
=P. albomarginatus= _Nees._
Annual; stem solitary, 1-3 ft. high, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, ab. ¼ in. broad. Umbel usually compound; primary rays 3-11, 1-7 in. long; bracts 3-6, lowest 8-18 in. long. Spikes subglobose or elongate, 1¼-2 in. long, of 8-12 usually ebracteolate spikelets; spikelets straw-coloured, 18-30 fld.; glumes with white margins; nut black, ⅔ length of glume.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
826 =Juncellus alopecuroides= _C. B. Clarke._ SEID & SAMAR BALADI (Egypt)—Arab.
Large herb; stem solitary, 18-36 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves length of stem, ⅓ in. broad. Umbel 6 in. and more in diam., compound; rays 4-10; bracts 3-8, lowest 6 in. and more long; spikes 3-5 together, sessile, 1-1½ in. long, dense; spikelets 8-30 fld.; compressed, straw- coloured; glumes closely imbricate; nut ⅓ length of glume, anterior angle flattened.
Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Kallokitting 4,200 ft.); Upper White Nile Prov. (Mouth of Bahr El Zeraf).
Cultivated in Lower Egypt for its stems which are made into mats, also for sweetening land about to be reclaimed.
=J. pustulatus= _C. B. Clarke._
Annual; stems tufted, 4-16 in. long. Leaves few, ab. ⅔ length of stem, narrow. Umbels simple, rays 1-5, 0-2½ in. long; bracts 3, lowest 3-7 in. long. Spikes of 2-5 subsessile spikelets, ebracteolate; spikelets white, purple-marked, up to ½ in. long; rhachilla persistent; flowering glumes 8-18; nut 2/5 length of glume, much flattened on anterior angle.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=J. pygmæus= _C. B. Clarke._
Annual; stems densely tufted, 1-10 in. high. Leaves as long, narrow. Infl. a dense compound head of numerous spikelets; bracts 3-8, dilated at base, lowest up to 3-6 in. long; spikelets green to pale-brown, 1/5 in. long, compressed, 8-24. fld.; glumes deciduous from lowest, rhachilla persistent; nut ab. ⅓ length of glume, plano-convex, brown, smooth.
Dongola Prov. (banks of the Nile); Khartoum Prov. (North); Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.
=J. lævigatus= _C. B. Clarke._
Rhizome woody; stems crowded or distant, 6-24 in. long, bases enclosed by red-brown scales. Leaves variable, usually short. Spike solitary, lateral, of 1-30 spikelets; bracts 2, lowest continuing the stem, 1-3 in. long; spikelets ⅓ in. long, straw-coloured, 12-24. fld.; nut ab. ⅔ length of glume, plano-convex; rhachilla persistent.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat & 21° N.L.); Darfur Prov. (J. Meidob, 2,400 ft.).
827 =Cyperus nudicaulis= _Poir._
Floating herb; rhizome long; stems tufted, 12-30 in. long. Leaves reduced to pale-brown leaf-sheaths. Head of 1-12 sessile spikelets; bracts 1-3, the lowest suberect, continuing the stem, shorter than head; spikelets ½-1 in. long, flattened, 30-70 fld., pale or reddish; glumes 3-nerved, falling off seriatim from lowest from persistent rhachilla; sta. 3; style long, branches short; nut ⅔ length of glume, flattened, base corky, thickened.
White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Sudd); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (main river).
=C. Colymbetes= _Kotschy_ & _Peyr._
Stems tufted, 1-2 ft. long, 3-angled. Leaves 0. Head of 6-30 spikelets; bracts 2; spikelets ½-⅔ in. long, up to 40 fld., otherwise as above.
Fung Prov. (Saoleil & Sherif); Mouth of Bahr El Jebel.
=C. leucocephalus= _Retz._
Glabrous herb; stems bulbous at base, 4-10 in. long, tufted. Leaves up to ⅔ length of stem. Head 1 globose, white or pale brown, up to ⅔ in. diam., of 6-40 spikelets; bracts 3, lowest 2 in. long; spikelets up to ⅓ in. long, compressed; glumes 1-3 nerved close; sta. 1; style shorter than nut which is ⅓-⅔ length of glume, yellow, bluntly 3-angled.
Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft.).
=C. compactus= _Lam._ ’ESHŪB, SE’ED—Arab.
Perennial; rhizome short; stem 4-16 in. long, with hard, dark brown leaf-sheaths at base. Leaves up to length of stem. Head 1 of 5-20 spikelets, ½-1½ in. diam., yellowish; bracts 3-4, dilated at base, lowest 2-4 in. long; spikelets ⅓-⅔ in., oblong, compressed, 8-18 fld.; glumes ab. ¼ in. long, close, striate; nut ⅓ length of glume, 3-angled; style shorter than nut.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Abu Gurun’s Zariba).
=C. conglomeratus= _Rottb._
Glabrous herb; rhizome usually short; roots woolly; stems 4-24 in. long, somewhat 3-angled at top. Leaves half to twice as long as stem. Simple umbel or head of few spikes; bracts 3-5, lowest 3-6 in. long, suberect, dilated at base; spikelets 3-25 to a head, ab. ½ in. long, 8-16 fld., straw-coloured or pale brown; glumes minutely mucronate, ribbed; style short, branches rather long; nut ⅓ length of glume, 3-angled.
Nubian Desert (Wadi El Derood); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Darfur Prov.
=C. cruentus= _Rottb._ TOROG—Hadendowa; ASHAM—Rashida.
Spikelets narrower and glumes closer on rhachilla, but otherwise as above.
Nubia (between Suakin & Berber: Obak); Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (Atbara, near Bulak); Kassala Prov. (Gash Delta: Um Adam); Red Sea Prov. (Er-Rih Island, Red Sea); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad).
=C. amabilis= _Vahl._
Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 2-8 in. long. Leaves up to ½ length of stem. Umbel simple or compound (rarely 1 head), rays up to 14 and 4 in. long; bracts up to 4, shorter than umbel. Spikelets 3-10 together, ⅔ in long, golden-brown, 16-36 fld.; glumes minutely mucronate, keel of 3-5 green nerves; style as long as nut; nut 2/5 length of glume, obovoid, brown.
White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Bongo-land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=C. uncinatus= _Poir._
Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 2-10 in. long. Leaves length of stem, bristly. Umbels usually simple; bracts 3-6, bristly, longer than umbel; spikelets digitate, usually 3-10 together, ½ in. long, 8-28 fld., compressed, pale-rusty to brown; glumes 3-nerved, the green keel produced into a prominent bristle; nut half as long as glume (excl. mucro), oblong-obovoid.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
=C. reduncus= _Hochst._
Glabrous herb; stems tufted, 2-10 in. long. Leaves length of stem. Umbel usually compound, 3-4 in. diam.; bracts longer than umbel. Spikes digitate, of 3-20 spikelets, which are flattened and 30 fld.; glumes with short recurved mucro; style short, as are the branches; nut ab. ¾ in. length of glume, narrow, brown.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=C. difformis= _Linn._
Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 4-20 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves ½-⅔ length of stem. Spikes in simple or compound umbel or contracted into 1 head; bracts 2-4, lowest 2-10 in. long. Spikelets many in dense heads, dusky or brown, 10-30 fld.; glumes close packed, obtuse; sta. 1 (rarely 2); style much shorter than nut, branches short: nut nearly as long as glume, 3-angled, straw-coloured to brown.
Kordofan Prov. (Rahad); Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,300 ft.); Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas; Niamniam-land: Linduku River).
=C. microlepis= _Boeck._
Spikelets whitish; glumes more elongate and less obtuse, and nut more elongate and narrower than in above.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Gir; Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=C. dichroostachyus= _Hochst._
Glabrous herb; rhizome 4-8 in. long; stems distant, 18-36 in. long, sharply 3-angled at top. Leaves ½-¾ length of stem, up to ½ in. broad. Umbel lateral, compound, 2-5 in. diam.; bracts 3-4, up to 8 in. long, lowest in continuation of stem. Spikes of 3-5 spikelets, digitate, numerous; spikelets white, brown spotted, 6-14 fld.; glumes 1-nerved, obtuse; sta. 2; style very short; nut ¾ length of glume, yellow-brown.
North Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).
=C. Haspan= _Linn._
Glabrous herb; rhizome creeping; stems distant or close together, 4-28 in. long, 3-angled or winged at top. Leaves almost absent to longer than stem. Umbel usually compound once or more, rarely simple; bracts 2-3, lowest suberect, shorter to longer than the umbel. Spikelets digitate, 2-6 together, up to ½ in. long, compressed, 10-40 fld.; glumes 1-3 nerved, greenish or purplish; sta. 2-3; style short; nut ab. ½ length of glume, pale-brown.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. Yei River).
=C. flavidus= _Retz._
Short-lived annual; stems tufted, 2-8 in. long, obtusely 3-angled. Leaves longer than stem. Umbel very compound, yellow to blackish; bracts longer than umbel; sta. 1; nut white; otherwise as above.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=C. podocarpus= _Boeck._
Glabrous herb; rhizome scaly; stems tufted, obtusely 3-angled, 10 in. long. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Umbel simple; rays 2-4, ab. ½ in. long; bracts 3, lowest suberect, 4-8 in. long. Spikes of 3-7 spikelets, ebracteate; spikelets 2/5 in. long, 8-12 fld., purple mottled; glumes obtuse; sta. 3; style shorter than nut, which is ½ length of glume, broad ellipsoid, 3-angled, suddenly narrowed into a minute stalk, black.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=C. sphærospermus= _Schrad._
Glabrous herb; rhizome woody, 2 in. long; stems 6-14 in. long, more or less sharply 3-angled at top. Leaves from ½ the length to (rarely) more than length of stems. Umbel simple or compound, 1-5 in. diam.; bracts varying from 1 in. to length in infl. Spikes of 3-8 digitate spikelets, straw-coloured or rich brown; spikelets ½ in. long, compressed, 10-30 fld.; sta. 3; style short, branches longer than the minute nut.
Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).
=C. flabelliformis= _Rottb._
Rhizome stout; stems 2-3 ft. long, tufted, rounded or angular at top. Leaves 0, except on early sterile shoots. Umbel usually compound, 4-12 in. diam.; primary rays 6 to numerous, subequal; bracts 8-12 subequal, longer than umbel; spikes whitish-yellow to rusty, of 2-15 digitate spikelets which are compressed and 10-20 fld.; glumes hard, shining, pointed; sta. 3; style short, branches long; nut ½ length of glume.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).
=C. dichromenæformis= _Kunth._ =var. major= _Boeck._
Rhizome woody; stems 12-30 in. long, almost flattened at top. Leaves nearly as long, up to ½ in. broad. Head of 12-34 spikelets; bracts 4-5, lowest up to 10 in. long; spikelets ½ in. long, flattened, straw- coloured, 12-20 fld.; glumes distant; sta. 3; styles shorter than nut, branches long; nut ⅔ length of glume, 3-angled, brown.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Kulenjo).
=C. Renschii= _Boeck._
Tall glabrous herb; stems up to 6 ft. high, 3-angled to 3-winged at top. Leaves up to 4 ft. by 1 in., 3-nerved. Umbel 8-24 in. diam., decompound; bracts 2 ft. long. Spikes abundant, green to red-brown, small, of 2-7 clustered spikelets which are 1/12 in. long, oblong, 3-6 fld.; glumes distichous, mucronate; sta. 2-3; style half the length and branches length of the nut which is ab. ½ length of glume.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
=C. Iria= _Linn._
Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 4-20 in. long. Leaves ab. as long as stem. Umbel usually compound, 2-20 in. diam.; rays often long; bracts longer than umbel. Spikes of 5-20 spikelets loosely spicate on a ⅓-2 in. long rhachis; spikelets slender, ab. ½ in. long, yellow or brown, 6-20 fld.; nut nearly length of glume, black; style short, branches shortly exserted.
Nubia; Kordofan Prov. (Obeid); Darfur Prov. (J. Barkin); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
=C. aristatus= _Rottb._
Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 1-7 in. long. Leaves up to length of stem. Umbel appearing simple (or 1 spike); rays 1-6, up to 3 in. long, lowest bract usually longer than umbel. Spikes ½ in. long, cylindric, of 5-40 spikelets, brown when ripe; spikelets up to ½ in. long, compressed, 6-30 fld.; glumes striate, ending in a conspicuous recurved bristle; sta. 1; nut ⅓ length of glume, brown; style shorter than nut, branches shortly exserted.
Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad); Upper White Nile Prov. (Taufikia); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
=C. distans= _Linn. f._
Glabrous herb; rhizome stout; stems 1-3 ft. long. Leaves up to length of stem. Umbel compound, 8-12 in. diam., sometimes congested or scanty; bracts usually longer than umbel. Rhachis of spike ⅓-2 in. long; spikelets spicate, almost acicular, 10-12 fld., reddish; glumes distant; style shorter than nut, branches shortly exserted; nut ab. ½ length of glume, black.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River, Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=C. eleusinoides= _Kunth._
Stems 1-3 ft. long, throwing out lateral shoots at base. Spikes 1 in. long dense cylindric; spikelets obliquely spreading, green or grey- brown, ½ in. long, ab. 10 fld.; glumes mucronate, approximate; otherwise as above.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).
=C. latifolius= _Poir._
Glabrous herb; stolons (runners) long; stem 2-3 ft. long, acutely 3-angled at top. Leaves ¾ length of stem, ¾ in. broad. Umbel compound, dense, secondary umbels corymbose; bracts longer than umbel. Spikes of 4-8 spikelets: spikelets ½ in. long, pallid or reddish, 8-16 fld.; glumes obtuse, imbricated; nut ½ length of glume, black.
Bahr El Jebel (Hillet El Nuer).
=C. pilosus= _Vahl._
Glabrous, except spike-rhachis which is minutely hairy; stem 12-30 in. long, acutely 3-angled at top. Leaves ¾ length of stem. Umbel usually compound; bracts several, lowest longer than umbel. Spikelets ½ in. long at right angles to the rhachis, pale reddish, 10-24 fld.; glumes obtuse, rather loose; nut 3/5 length of glume, black.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=C. bulbosus= _Vahl._
Glabrous bulbed herb; stolons slender, ending in small bulb; stem 4-12 in. long, very slender. Leaves longer than stem, tapering. Umbel contracted, subcorymbose; bracts 3-6 overtopping umbel. Spikelets 4-6 to the spike, compressed, red; rhachilla winged; flowering glumes 8-26, obtuse, striate; nut ½ length of glume, black; style short, branches long.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Wadi El Omari & Khor Tamanib).
The roots are used as flour in times of scarcity and eaten roasted or boiled.
=C. microbolbos= _C. B. Clarke._
Bulbed glabrous herb; stems 3 in. high, slender; stolons capillary, ending in minute bulbs. Leaves 6 in. long. Spikes 1 or 2 together, ped. ¼ in. long; bracts 2, longer than spike. Spikelets 3-5 per spike, ½ in. long, compressed red-brown, 24 fld.; glumes green-mucronate; sta. 3; style length of nut, branches long; nut ½ length of glume, brown.
Red Sea Prov. (coast-land to between 3,000-4,000 ft., Suakin).
=C. esculentus= _Linn._ SAAD—Arab.
Bulbed herb; stolons slender, ending in bulbs ½ in. diam., ringed by transverse lines; stems 6-24 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves up to ¾ length of stem. Umbel more or less compound, 3-12 in. diam.; bracts 3-5, ab. as long as umbel. Spikes of 4-30 spikelets which are ¼-¾ in. long, pale yellow to brown, 6-30 fld., rhachilla winged; glumes blunt, striate; style shorter than nut, branches long; nut ab. ½ length of glume.
Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=C. articulatus= _Linn._
Glabrous herb, stolons hardening into long rhizomes; stems 3-6 ft. high, when dry showing joints ½-1½ in. apart. Leaves reduced to sheaths. Umbel usually compound, 1-8 in. diam.; bracts elliptic-lanceolate. Spikelets 3-4 to spike, or more by congestion of spikes into one, ⅓-1 in. long, 12-50 fld., straw-coloured to brown; glumes obtuse; style branches long; nut 3/5 length of glume, black.
White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Jebel.
=C. schimperianus= _Steud._ DIS & SID—Arab.
Glabrous herb; rhizome woody; stems 1-3 ft. long. Leaves under ⅓ length of stem. Umbel usually compound, 3-10 in. diam.; bracts 4-7. Spikes of 3-20 loosely arranged, often drooping, 12-24 fld. spikelets, which are ½-¾ in. long, compressed, red-brown; rhachilla winged, wings deciduous; glumes distant, obtuse; style branches long; nut ½ length of glume.
Nubia; Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (Atbara: Shallalat); Khartoum Prov. (Nile near J. Royan); Fung Prov.
=C. nubicus= _C. B. Clarke._
Glabrous herb; stolons hardening into rhizomes; stems up to 2 ft. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves 12 in. by ¼ in. Umbel compound, 5-8 in. diam. Spikelets numerous, rusty-red, up to 1 in. long, 20-30 fld., compressed; rhachilla wings ovate, deciduous; glumes acute, distant; style short, branches long; nut 2/5 length of glume, black. Bracts 3-4, longer than umbel.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).
=C. schweinfurthianus= _Boeck._
Tall scabrous herb; stems 1-3 fl. long, 3-angled. Leaves ½-⅔ length of stem. Umbel irregular, simple or compound primary rays up to 12 in. long; bracts few to many, according to number of rays equalling or overtopping the umbel. Spikes loose; spikelets 3-9 per spike, 1 in. long, 20 fld., straw-coloured, compressed; wings of rhachilla oblong, deciduous; glumes distant, apiculate; style short, branches long; nut ½ length of glume, black.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=C. elatior= _Boeck._
Stem 30 in. high, stout, smooth. Umbel compound; rays up to 10 in. high; spikelets 1 in. long, 20-30 fld., suberect, otherwise as above.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=C. gracilinux= _C. B. Clarke._
Glabrous herb; stems 2 ft. high, 3-angled at top; stolons numerous. Leaves up to 16 in. long. Umbel compound, 6-12 in. diam.; bracts overtopping umbel. Spikes loose with 5-11 spikelets, which are ⅔ in. long, compressed, 10-16 fld., whitish; wings of rhachilla elliptic- lanceolate; glumes subobtuse, close; nut 3/5 length of glume.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=C. maculatus= _Boeck._ SEID—Arab.
Glabrous herb; stems 12-20 in. long, 3-angled at top, bulbous at base. Leaves nearly length of stem. Umbel compound, of 5-11 spikelets, which are ½ in. long, compressed, 20 fld., straw-coloured, usually purple- spotted; rhachilla wings narrow; glumes obtuse, close; styles shorter than nut, branches exserted.
Nubia; Berber Prov. (Mograt Island near Abu Hamad); Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Khor Attar).
=C. rotundus= _Linn._
Glabrous herb; stems 8-24 in. long, bulbous at base, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Umbel simple or compound, 1-8 in. diam.; rays long or short; bracts 3-4, overtopping umbel. Spikes loose; spikelets red-brown, ⅔ in. long and 8-30 fld., or 2 in. long and 50-60 fld.; rhachilla wings joining the pointed, closely placed glumes; style shorter than nut, branches long; nut ½ length of glume, dark brown.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, Wadi El Omari, Wadi El Arab); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Berber Prov. (Ben Naga, between Berber & Khartoum); Khartoum Prov. (North); Banks of the Blue Nile (Bunzaga); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid, Abu Haraza); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
Used in certain dye preparations to impart perfume to the fabric. The rhizomes yield an essential oil which is used as a perfume. The fresh roots are diaphoretic and astringent; they are used for indigestion in children and in fevers.
=var. spadiceus= _Boeck._
Stem usually tall, scabrous at top. Spikelets strongly compressed, sometimes darker brown, shining.
Kordofan Prov.
=C. nuerensis= _Boeck._
Glabrous herb; stolons hardening into rhizome, 8 in. long; stems 8-20 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, ⅓ in. broad. Umbel compound, 6-8 in. diam. (sometimes reduced to a head); primary rays 3-7; bracts 3-5, 2-6 in. broad; bracts 3-5 overtopping umbel. Spikes loose overtopping umbel. Spikes of 3-5 red-brown to nearly black spikelets, which are 2/5 in. long by 1/12 in., 8-16 fld.; wings of rhachilla ovate- lanceolate; glumes obtuse, reddish-black on sides and 5-nerved, yellow- green on back; otherwise as above sp.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near Nuer villages).
=C. Fenzelianus= _Steud._
Tall herb; stolons long, thick. Umbel open. Spikelets pale to dusky straw-coloured; otherwise as _C. rotundus_.
Nubia; Berber Prov. (Zeidab); Between Berber & Khartoum: Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (J. Kuhn).
=C. radiatus= _Vahl._
Glabrous herb; rhizome 0; lateral shoots at base of stem; stem 6-24 in. long. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Umbel up to 6-10 in. diam., but often contracted, sometimes into 1 dense head; bracts overtopping infl. Spikes digitate, 1 in. by ab. ½ in., almost sessile; spikelets 1/5-2/5 in. long, narrow, 10-36 fld., compressed, pale to brownish; wings of rhachilla oblong, persistent; glumes apiculate tightly imbricate; sta. 3; nut ½ length of glume; style ½ length of nut, branches short.
Nubia; Dongola; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas & Wau River; Bongo: Addai).
=C. exaltatus= _Retz._
Stems up to 3-4 ft. high. Some spikes peduncled; spikelets larger, less crowded and more yellowish or reddish, but otherwise as above.
Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Harun; Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Sagattur); Upper White Nile Prov. (Tonga Island); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba).
=var. dives= _C. B. Clarke._
Umbel rigid. Spikes rigid, dense; ripe spikelets divaricate or reflexed, hard, often shining and yellowish.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
=C. Pethericki= _C. B. Clarke._
Very tall, stout herb. Umbel large, compound with large cylindric spikes; lowest bract very long, ⅔ in. broad. Spikelets nearly ½ in. long, 36 fld., pale yellowish-brown; glumes thin; otherwise as _C. exaltatus_.
Mongalla Prov. (Gigging, Mongalla & 7° 25′ N.L.).
=C. digitatus= _Roxb._
Glabrous herb; stem 2-6 ft. high, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Umbel compound, 8-24 in. diam.; lowest bract longer than umbel. Spike 2 by 1 in.; spikelets many, at right angles to spike, ab. ½ in. long, narrow, 20 fld., yellowish-brown; wings of rhachilla caducous, lanceolate, yellow; glumes scarcely mucronate, yellow and brown; sta. 3.; nut ½ length of glume, black; style shorter than nut. Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
=C. auricomus= _Sieber._
Stem at top almost 3-winged; umbel not very large; otherwise as above.
Blue Nile Prov. (Khor Agalin at Doleib); Kordofan Prov. (Birket Kolli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ghaba Shambé; Bongo: Addai); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).
=var. minor= _C. B. Clarke._
Slender; umbels small; spikelets slender, red-brown.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
=C. Papyrus= _Linn._ =var. Antiquorum= _C. B. Clarke._ BURDI, DIS & BABIRUSA—Arab; BODUMOH—Zande; YELL—Nuer. The Papyrus Plant.
Plant up to 15 ft. high; rhizome woody; stems smooth with basal sheaths only. Leaves up to 1 in. by ⅓ in. on barren shoots. Umbels compound, up to 3 ft. diam.; primary rays up 30, up to 1 ft. long; bracts up to 7 in. long, reddish. Spikelets numerous sessile, ovate, ¼-⅓ in. long, compressed; bracts of secondary umbel 3, green, up to 2½ in. long. Spikes ab. 1 in. by ½ in. with 12-30 spreading spikelets; spikelets ⅓ long, brown; glumes ovate-oblong with a green median line; rhachilla wings yellow deciduous late; sta. 3; style length of nut; branches rather short; nut ½-3/5 length of glume, black.
White Nile and affluents; Bahr El Ghazal and affluents.
The slices of the stem, pressed together, were used by the ancient Egyptians as a writing material. Attempts have been made of recent years to utilise the plant for paper making and for fuel.
=C. cephalotes= _Vahl._
Stolons slender; stem 6-10 in. long, 3-angled. Leaves longer or shorter than stem. Head globose, ½ diam.; bracts 3-4; spikelets numerous, sessile, ovate, ¼-⅓ in. long, compressed, 20-30 fld.; rhachilla not winged; glumes cuspidate, imbricate, red-brown; sta. 2-3; nut oblong, narrowed into a long beak, style jointed on beak of nut, slender, entire or 2-3 toothed.
Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).
828 =Mariscus[6] coloratus= _Nees._ =var. macrocephala= _C. B. Clarke._
Glabrous herb; stolons 0; stems 6-14 in. long, 3-angled at top, thickened at base by brownish leaf sheaths. Leaves up to length of stem, weak. Spikes 5-6, large, in one head; bracts 3-4, spreading, lowest 3-7 in. long; spikelets ovate or lanc., acute, 2-6 fld., straw-coloured; glumes subacute, 13-15 ribbed, margins running into the elliptic wings of rhachilla; style shorter than nut, branches longish; nut ½ length of glume, black; sta. 2-3.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Makporru Hill); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=M. djurensis= _C. B. Clarke._
Glabrous herb; stolons numerous, 1-2 in. long, red-scaly; stems approximate, 4-12 in. long, slender, 3-angled at top. Leaves up to length of stem, weak. Head 1, ovoid, ⅓ in. diam., whitish; bracts 4, up to 6 in. long. Spikelets 1/5 in. long, 2-6 fld.; glumes distant, ovate, 11-13 ribbed, with small red glands; nut ½-2/5 length of glume, black; style ab. same length.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas; Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
=M. macropus= _C. B. Clarke._
Glabrous herb; stems 10-20 in. long, 3-angled at top, much thickened at base by fibrous remnants of sheaths, tufted. Leaves ½-⅔ length of stems, long-bristly at tips. Head 1, ovoid, ½ in. diam., dirty-white; bracts 3, lowest 1-2 in. long. Spikelets 1/5 in. long, 8-10 fld., producing 6-8 nuts; glumes obscurely 7-11 ribbed; nut ½-⅔ length of glume; style same length.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba & Jur Ghattas).
=M. leptophyllus= _C. B. Clarke._
Glabrous herb; stems approximate, thickened at base by withering leaf- sheaths, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, weak. Infl. umbellate; rays 2-3, ¼-1½ in. long, each with 1-3 spikes; bracts 4, up to 6 in. long. Spikelets ⅓ in. long, white to brown, ripening 6-8 nuts; glumes obtuse, 7-ribbed, distant; nut ½-⅔ length of glume, brown; style shorter, branches exserted.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib).
=M. mollipes= _C. B. Clarke._
Glabrous herb; stems thickened at base by fibrous torn leaf-sheaths, 3-angled at top, 4-6 in. long. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Head of 1 spike, ovoid, pale straw-coloured; bracts 3-4, lowest up to 3 in. long. Spikelets ⅛ in. long, ripening 1 nut only; glumes ovate, acuminate, obscurely 5-7 ribbed; nut line.-obl., ½ length of glume, black; style shorter; branches long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Mayob).
=M. Sieberianus= _Nees._
Glabrous herb; stems 12-30 in. long, 3-angled at top, thickened at base by green to red leaf-sheaths, approximate. Leaves up to ⅔ length of stem. Umbel simple, 1-5 in. diam.; rays 5-12 up to 4 in. long; bracts 5-10, lowest up to 8 in. long. Spikes solitary, ab. 1 in. by ¼ in., cylindric; bracts to spike 0; spikelets numerous, spreading or deflexed below, lin.-lanc., bearing 1 or 2 nuts; lowest flower-glume twice as long as upper empty glume, ovate-ob., obtuse, 7-11 ribbed; style ½ length of nut; branches length of nut; nut ⅔ length of glume.
Mongalla Prov. (Lado District & Bor).
=M. umbellatus= _Vahl._
Some of rays of umbel many times longer than spikes, which are ½ by ⅙ in.; spikelets small, denser and more rigid than in above sp. and in fruit all strongly deflexed; nut almost ellipsoid; otherwise as above.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
The rhizomes are edible.
=M. sublimis= _C. B. Clarke._
Umbel simple; rays 7-10, up to 2½ in. long. Spikes up to ¾ by ¼ in., dense, pale grey; ripe spikelets appressed, obliquely erect. Nut 1 only per spikelet, ellipsoid; otherwise as _M. Sieberianus_.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=M. macrocarpus= _Kunth._
Spikes ovoid, ab. ½ in. wide, subsessile or shortly peduncled. Ripe spikelets with 2-3 nuts; lowest empty glume mucronate. Nut ¾ length of glume, broadly oblong; otherwise as large forms of _M. Sieberianus_.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
(_ii_) _Empty glumes at base of spikelet 0-2; fertile glumes usually numerous, spirally arranged with few exceptions (nearly distichous in some spp. of Fimbristylis); hypogynous scales or bristles 0-7; infl. umbellate or capitate; fl. hermaphrodite; stem naked (except Fuirena)._
829 =Eleocharis fistulosa= _Schultes._
Glabrous herb; stolons long; stems 1-3 ft. long, sharply 3-angled at top, leafless. Infl. of 1 terminal spikelet, 1-1¼ by 1/6-1/5 in., straw- coloured to brown; fertile glumes numerous, obovate, obtuse; sta. 1-3; hypogynous bristles 6, as long as nut, retrorse, rusty-red; style 2-3-fid, base enlarged, distinct from nut which is ½ length of glume, straw-coloured, marked like a grill (_cancellate_).
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=E. atropurpurea= _Kunth._
Leafless glabrous annual; stems tufted, 2-6 in. long, slender. Spikelet 1, ovoid, ⅛-¼ in. long, many-fld., greenish-red; glumes obtuse, caducous; hypog. bristles 7, white, ½-¾ length of nut, retrorse, sometimes short or reduced to a minute cup; style branches 2, ½-⅔ length of glume, black.
White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).
=E. chætaria= _Roem._ & _Schultes._
Glabrous leafless herb; stems tufted 1-6 in. long. Spikelets 1-2, ⅛-⅙ in. long, ovoid, pallid or reddish, maturing 1-5 nuts; hypog. bristles 6, retrorse, length of nut, sometimes fewer; sta. 2-3; styles 3-fid; nut obovoid white, cancellate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=E. complanata= _C. B. Clarke._
Glabrous leafless annual; stems tufted, 6-9 in. long, flattened. Spikelet ab. ⅙ in. long, cylindric, green marked with red, densely fld.; glumes obtuse; hypog. bristles 0; style 3-fid; nut ½ length of glume, white; style base bulbous, small.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir).
=E. microcarpa= _Torrey._
Glabrous leafless annual; stems tufted, 4-8 in. long.—Spikelet ⅙-¼ in. long, 10-20 fld., pale brown-green; glumes obtuse; hypog. bristles 3-5, ⅓-⅔ length of nut, retrorse, white; style 3-fid; nut hardly ½ length of glume, brownish.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
830 =Fimbristylis squarrosa= _Vahl._
Annual; stems tufted, 2-7 in. long. Leaves ½-¾ length of stem. Umbel usually compound, sometimes reduced to 2 spikelets to a stem; bracts 3-4 ab. as long as umbel; spikelets solitary up to ¼ by 1/12 in.; fl. dense, straw-coloured; glumes 3-5 nerved ending in recurved bristle; sta. usually 2, style 2-fid, hairy below bifurcation and round base of style; hypog. bristles 0 in this genus; nut ½ length of glume, biconvex.
White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Majob & Wau).
=F. dichotoma= _Vahl._
Pubescent or puberulous annual; stems tufted, 2-10 in. long. Leaves length of stem. Umbel compound; bracts 3-4 as long as umbel. Spikelets many, solitary, ¼ in. long, obscurely polygonal; fertile glumes in many spirals, rust-coloured, ovate acute, greenish or yellowish keeled; style 2-fid, flattened, pubescent on margins; nut ⅓ length of glume, biconvex, 5-9 ribbed, white.
Nubia; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (Shendi); Khartoum Prov. (Tuti Island); Fung Prov. (Abdin); White Nile Prov. (Geteina).
=F. diphylla= _Vahl._
Annual, glabrous to pubescent; stems tufted, 4-28 in. long. Leaves ⅓-⅔ length of stem. Umbel compound of usually many spikelets; bracts 3-4, shorter than umbel. Spikelets solitary, ¼-½ in. long, terete, straw- coloured, rusty brown, or variegated; fertile glumes hardly keeled, often ciliate; style 2-fid, dilated at base, flattened, villous on margins; nut ⅓ length of glume, biconvex, whitish.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli, Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas & Jur Aweit; Bongo-land: Addai); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=F. ferruginea= _Vahl._
Herb, frequently biennial; stems tufted, 8-28 in. long. Leaves from ⅓ length of stem to almost absent, hairy or glabrous. Umbel simple or slightly compound, of usually 5-10 spikelets; bracts shorter than umbel. Spikelets solitary, 2/5 in. long, ovoid oblong, dense, rust-coloured, more or less variegated with red-brown or green; glumes ovate, upper part of back grey-puberulous. Style 2-fid, longer than nut, flattened; nut ½ length of glume, biconvex, pale yellow to brown.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=F. exilis= _Roem._ & _Schultes._
Hairy annual; stems tufted, 4-16 in. long. Leaves ⅓-½ length of stem. Umbel of 3-14 pedicelled spikelets; bracts 3-4, as long as umbel. Spikelets ¼-⅓ in. long, 10-12 fld., pale rusty and chestnut; glumes ovate, acute, pubescent, keeled and mucronate; sta. 2-3; style slightly shorter than nut, 3-fid, base dilated with a constriction; nut ab. ½ length of glume, 3-angled, transversely wrinkled, white to pale brown.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé, Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=F. cioniana= _P. Savi._
Umbel of 10-25 spikelets, rather dense. Spikelets 1/8-1/5 in. long, pale-rusty; points of glumes rather long; nut small, yellowish, with transverse lines; otherwise as above.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=F. Schweinfurthiana= _Boeck._
Glabrous herb; stems tufted, 8-12 in. long: basal sheaths brown, fringed. Leaf of uppermost sheath ½ length of stem. Umbel of 2-9 spikelets, subcompound; bracts 2-3, ½ in. long. Spikelets 1/5 by ⅛ in., dull brown; glumes obtuse; style shorter than nut, deciduous with pyramidal base, branches 3, long; nut less than ½ length of glume, smooth, brown.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=F. subaphylla= _Boeck._
Glabrous herb; rhizome short; stems approximate, 12-16 in. long, 4-angled at top. Leaves ½-2 in. long. Umbel 2-4 in. diam., of 30-60 spikelets; bracts 2-3, under 1 in.; spikelets ⅓ by 1/12 in., 5-14 fld., light brown; style longer than nut, deciduous with style base, 3-fid; nut ab. ⅓ length of glume, obovoid, smooth or warted, white or yellowish.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (main river).
=F. monostachya= _Vahl._
Glabrous herb; stems tufted, 2-16 in. long. Leaves ½ length of stem. Spikelet usually 1 (1-3) on each stem, ½ by 1/5 in. and few-flowered or larger and many-fld., greenish-white or yellowish; glumes ovate, keeled, mucronate, lower distichous, upper spiral; style longer than nut, hairy deciduous with base, 3-fid; nut less than ½ length of glume, pyriform, straw-coloured or pale brown, tubercled.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nganye).
=F. falcifolia= _Boeck._
Pale green, glabrous herb; stems tufted, 4-6 in. long, 5-angled compressed. Leaves few, 2-3 in. long, falcate, margins serrulate, sheaths short. Umbel subcompound, 5-7 rayed; bracts 3-4, ab. ½ length of umbel; rays capillary, up to 1 in. long, with 2-3 branches. Spikelets obl.-lanc., 10-13 fld., ¼ in. long; glumes rigid, appressed, broad ovate, shortly mucronate; nut under ½ length of glume, pale straw- coloured.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
831 =Bulbostylis sphærocarpus= _C. B. Clarke._
Tufted annual; stem 2-5 in. long, glabrous, with 1 spikelet. Leaves ¾ length of stem, capillary minutely hairy, sheaths somewhat bearded in mouth. Bract ½ in. long, setaceous; spikelet ¼ by 1/14 in., bearing a few nuts at base, male above; fertile glumes ovate, acuminate, rust- coloured, scabrous-hairy; hypog. bristles, none in this genus; sta. 2-3; style 3-fid, nearly as long as nut, base persistent on nut, black; nut less than ½ length of glume, obovoid, transverse-wavy, straw-coloured.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
=B. filamentosa= _Kunth._
Tufted herb; stems 8-20 in. long, 3-angled and hairy at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, setaceous; sheaths hairy, with long white hairs in the throat. Head 1, 1/3-2/5 in. diam., of 6-14 bright brown spikelets; bracts 2-3, lowest overtopping the head. Spikelets 1/6 by 1/12 in., to 6-10 fld.; glumes ovate, pubescent; sta. 3; style 3-fid, base persistent, ovoid, slightly darker than nut; nut 2/5 length of glume, acutely 3-angled, pallid, with obscure transverse lines.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=B. pusilla= _C. B. Clarke._
Tufted annual; stems 1-5 in. long with 1-9 spikelets, glabrous. Leaves ½ length of stems, setaceous. Spikelets in simple or compound lax umbel, all solitary or some clustered 2-3 together; bracts short, setaceous; spikelets ab. ⅛ by ½ in., but sometimes up ¼ in. broad, ab. 12 fld.; glumes ovate; sta. 2; style 3-fid, length of nut, base persistent; nut ⅔ length of glume, broadly obovoid, black with 2 transverse wavy lines.
Kordofan Prov. (El Abiad).
=B. abortiva= _C. B. Clarke._
Densely tufted herb; stems 6-24 in. long, very slender, glabrous. Leaves ½ length of stem, filiform; sheath with few white hairs at throat. Umbel up to 4-6 in. diam., compound; bracts much shorter than umbel, setaceous. Spikelets numerous, pedicelled; otherwise as above.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=B. coleotricha= _C. B. Clarke._
Stems densely tufted, 4-16 in. long, very slender, minutely hairy at top. Leaves ½ length of stem, setaceous; sheaths with long white hairs in throat. Umbel usually simple or compound, 2 in. diam., of numerous solitary spikelets (rarely 1-3 spikelets only); bracts setaceous, often overtopping umbel. Spikelets ovoid, ¼ in. long, brown; glumes ovate, obtuse, keel green; style 3-fid, as long as nut, base persistent as a small, dark button; nut ½ length of glume, pale brown, smooth, appearing dotted.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
832 =Scirpus cubensis= _Poeppig_ & _Kunth._
Glabrous, except glumes; stolons present or stem decumbent and rooting; stem 1-2 ft. long, stout 3-angled at top, nodeless. Leaves ab. as long as stem, 1/5 in. broad. Umbel simple; heads 1-12, stellate-globose, ½ in. diam., on ped. ½-2½ in. long; bracts up to 5-10, up to 1 ft. long. Spikelets numerous in head, ⅙-⅓ in. long, many fld.; glumes ovate, acute, rigid, margins ciliate; hypog. bristles 0; sta. 1-3; style linear, confluent into ovary, 2-fid; nut ⅔ length of glume, narrowly obovoid, corky at base, smooth, beaked.
Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Main river).
=S. supinus= _Linn._
Glabrous annual; stems tufted; nodeless, 2-12 in. long, terete. Leaves usually under 1 in. long. Head 1; lowest bract continuing the stem; 1-6 in. long. Spikelets 1-7 in the head, 1/5-½ in. long, ellipsoid, dusky green; glumes ovate, acute, entire at tip; hypog. bristles 0; style linear, usually 3-fid; nut obovoid, black with transverse wavy lines.
Darfur Prov.
=S. articulatus= _Linn._
Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 2-12 in. long, when dry showing transverse false septa. Leaves 0. Head 1, globose, apparently lateral owing to lowest bract (terete as the stem) continuing the latter, and up to 2 ft. long. Spikelets ¼-¾ in. long, cylindric, green or mottled- purple and brown; glumes ovate, incurved, tip entire; hypog. bristles 0; style linear, 3-fid; nut ab. ½ length of glume, brown, smooth or transversely wavy.
Blue Nile Prov. (Ganeib Assad); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad); White Nile Prov. (Kosti); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas & Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba; Bongo: Gir & Atuoli).
=S. corymbosus= _Roth._
Glabrous herb; rhizome 2-4 in. long; stems 3 ft. long, stout, terete. Leaves 0. Umbel apparently lateral, the lower bract 1-4 in. long continuing the stem. Spikelets clustered, ¼-⅓ in. long, ellipsoid, dusky brown; glumes ovate, mucronate, glabrous; hypog. bristles 0; style linear, 3-fid; nut 2/5 length of glume, 3-angled, black, smooth, slightly wavy.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Mid Robo 8,700 ft.).
=S. maritimus= _Linn._
Glabrous herb; stolons becoming rhizomes; stems 1-3 ft. long, stout, 3-angled. Leaves as long as stem, ¼-⅓ in. broad. Umbel compound or simple or reduced to a head of 1-3 spikelets, rarely over 4-6 in. diam.; bracts several, lowest up to 8 in. long. Spikelets 30-40 to the umbel, oblong, ½-1 in. long, dark brown, often clustered; glumes ovate emarginate and mucronate, hairy at tip; hypog. bristles 3-6, usually shorter than nut; style long, branches 2-3, long; nut variable in size, 3-angled, obovoid, black, smooth or reticulate.
Berber Prov. (Shendi).
=S. kyllingioides= _Boeck._
Glabrous perennial; stems rarely over 6 in. long, slender, nodeless. Leaves ½ length of stem. Head 1, subglobose, ab. ⅙ in. diam., green or pale brown with glume points prominent on all sides; bracts 3-4, spreading, longer than head. Glumes ovate, contracted into a linear obtuse end; hypog. bristles 0; style shorter than nut; branches 3, long; nut ⅓ length of glume, smooth, black-brown.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Gendua River); Fung Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=S. squarrosus= _Linn._
Small glabrous, tufted annual; stems 2-8 in. high, nodeless. Leaves ⅓ length of stem. Head of 1-6 (rarely 10) squarrose spikelets; bracts 3-5, 1-4 in. long. Spikelets ⅛-¼ in. long, many-fld., greenish or brownish; glumes caducous in fruit, narrowly obovate, narrowed into a mucro not longer than glume; hypog. bristles 0; style hardly any, branches 3 short, recurved; nut ⅔ length of glume, obovoid, 3-angled, smooth; sta. 1, or rarely 2.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=S. Isolepis= _Boeck._
Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 1-10 in. long, setaceous. Leaves ¼-1½ in. long, setaceous. Spikelet 1 to a stem, ⅛-⅙ in. long, ovoid, not squarrose, nut-coloured, apparently lateral owing to ¼-1 in. long bract continuing the stem; glumes obovate, triangular at top, caducous in fruit; hypog. bristles 0, but a very thin scale is sometimes present; sta. 1-2; style hardly any, branches 2, short, recurved; nut length of glume, black, smooth.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
833 =Fuirena pubescens= _Kunth._
Hairy herb; rhizome long; stems often solitary, 4-16 in. long, 3-angled, nodose. Leaves 6 in. long, base with a prominent ligule, lowest bract as highest leaf. Infl. a panicle 10 by 2 in., with remote peduncles, or reduced to 1-2 few-fld. corymbose clusters. Spikelets ovoid, ¼-⅓ in. long; glumes broad-elliptic, obtuse, hairy on back, blackish-green, ending in a bristle ⅓-½ length of glume; hypog. bristles 0 or rudimentary; style 3-fid; nut less than ½ length of glume, white.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (main river near Nuer villages).
=F. glomerata= _Lam._
Hairy annual; stems 4-16 in. long. Leaves 4-6 in. long. Panicle oblong of a few clusters. Spikelets ⅓-½ by ⅛-⅙ in.; glumes dark green to dull brown, keel continued in a long bristle; hypog. bristles 3 or 6, outer linear or 0, 3 inner as long as nut, broad, quadrate, toothed, clawed, falling with the nut; nut ½ length of glume, pallid, acuminate both ends, beak narrow; style 3-fid.
Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
=F. leptostachya= _Oliv._
Annual. Leaves 4-8 in. long. Spikelets ¼-⅓ by 1/16-1/10 in.; 3 interior hypog. bristles as long as nut, lamina small, oval, or with 2 recurved teeth.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas; Bongo: Gir); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
=F. umbellata= _Rottb._
Hairy or only the glumes; rhizome stout; stems 1½-5 ft. long, nodose. Leaves up to 6 by ½ in. Pan. long, oblong often with many axillary compound corymbs and 200-600 spikelets. Spikelets ¼-⅓ by ⅛-⅙ green or dull chestnut-coloured. Glume elliptic, keel produced into a curved bristle; hypog. bristles: 3 outer small or absent, 3 inner as long as nut, obovate, hardly clawed; style 3-fid, linear; nut ½ length of glume, acuminate at both ends, pallid to brown, beak small, narrow.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas; Niamniam-land: Yubbo River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
834 =Lipocarpha argentea= _R. Br._
Glabrous herb; rhizome up to 1½ in.; stems tufted, 4-24 in. long, nodeless. Leaves ⅓ to full length of stem. Head 1; bracts 2-3, horizontal, lowest 1-4 in. long. Spikelets 3-10, ¼-½ in. long, ovoid or cylindric; glumes dense in numerous spirals, obovate, obtuse, incurved in fruit; hypog. scales (not bristles) shorter than glume; sta. 2; style ⅔ length of nut, branches 2-3 short; nut ½ length of scale, brown-black, smooth.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Meshra El Rek); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=L. Prieuriana= _Steud._
Glabrous herb; stems tufted, 4-16 in. long, 3-angled. Leaves ¼-½ length of stem. Spikelets 3-18 to a head, ⅓ by ⅛ in., cylindric, dense, smooth, reddish to purple; bracts 3-7, spreading, up to 4 in. long; glumes broadly obovate, obtuse; hypog. hyaline scales 2, lower suborbicular, 5-nerved; nut obovoid-globose; style branches 3, almost sessile.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
835 =Ascolepis protea= _Welw._ =var.= β. =bellidiflora= _Welw._
Glabrous herb; stems 4-15 in. long, nodeless. Leaves ½ length of stem. Head 1 of 1-6 spikelets, straw-coloured, ¼-¾ in. diam., hemispheric or subglobose; bracts 3-4, 1-2½ in. long. Glumes lin.-lanc., hyaline scale (_squamella_) solitary, up to ⅓-½ in. long or more; protruding beyond glume; sta. 1; style ½ length of nut, 2-3-fid; nut minute, dark brown.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=A. capensis= _Benth._
Glabrous herb; stems tufted, 8-20 in. long. Leaves ½-¾ length of stem, narrow. Head of 1-3 spikelets, fused or nearly distinct, whitish; bracts 3, lowest 1-4 in. long, spreading. Spikelets ⅓-½ in. long, ovoid, dense; glumes oblong, shorter than the solitary squamella, which is flattened and shaped as a watch-pocket with a beak to the front up to ⅙ in. long. Style 2-fid, hardly exserted from the pocket; nut sessile, black, compressed.
Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Jur Aweit); Bahr El Jebel.
(_iii_) _Empty glumes at base of spikelet 3; fertile glume 1; hypogynous bristles 6; inflorescence panicled; fertile fl. bisexual._
836 =Rhynchospora aurea= _Vahl._
Nearly glabrous herb; stem nodose, 3-6 ft. long. Leaves 1-2 ft. by ½ in. Panicle up to 16 in. long with lower axillary distant corymbs 2-5 in. diam., bearing 100-200 spikelets. Spikelets usually in clusters of 3-10; hypog. bristles 6, barbed upwards; style subentire or obscurely 2-fid, base dilated; nut ½ length of glume, notched each side, beak as long as nut.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
(_iv_) _Flowers unisexual; spikelets with 1 fem. flower only; infl. panicled or capitate; hypog. bristles 0 to many._
837 =Scleria pergracilis= _Kunth._
Almost glabrous annual; stems tufted, 1-2 ft. long, nodose, slender. Leaves 4-12 in. long, narrow. Spikelets many, bearing both male and fem. fl. in clusters of 2-5, ⅛-⅙ in. long, sessile, on a spike 2-5 in. long; bracts to the clusters ovate, acute, ab. length of clusters, 2-sexual (monœcious) spikelet of ab. 7 glumes, 2 lowest empty, the third carrying the nut, ⅛-⅙ in. long, elliptic-oblong, dark brown; upper glumes male or empty; also many spikelets similar to foregoing, without fem. fl.; sta. 1-3; anthers crested; style linear 3-fid, not dilated at base; nut minute, white; hypog. bristles 0.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=S. melanotricha= _A. Rich._
Hairy annual; stems 4-24 in. long, slender. Leaves ½-⅔ length of stem. Spike 2-7 in. long, ciliate, with long rusty-black or white hairs, with cluster of 3-12 spikelets, ¼-⅓ in. diam., sessile, pendent; bracts inconspicuous. Spikelets 1/5 in. long, black-red or pallid; nut 1/16 in. long, straw-coloured; otherwise much as above.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Gir).
=S. Buchanani= _Boeck._
Sparsely hairy perennial; stems 12-20 in. long, base bulbous. Leaves 4-12 in. long. Spike subsimple, 3-6 in. long; lower bracts often longer than the clusters of 4-10 spikelets, which are suberect in fruit and 1/5 in. long; nut minute, white, smooth.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).
=S. Schweinfurthiana= _Boeck._
Thinly hairy perennial; stems 1-2 ft. long, not bulbous. Leaves 4-12 in. long. Spike subsimple with 10-14 clusters of often 10-12 spikelets on a rhachis 4-8 in. long; spikelets ¼ in. long, ellipsoid-oblong, chestnut- coloured; nut white, tubercled on shoulders, minute.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=S. glandiformis= _Boeck._
Herb, nearly glabrous except ligule; stems 16-24 in. long. Leaves up to 1 ft. long. Panicle with lower peduncle remote, nearly included in sheath of the bract, carrying oblong inflorescences with 6-12 nuts, whence bracts ½-1½ in. long diverge; monœcious spikes none, or very few. Spikelets nearly ¼ in. long, straw-coloured, marked with brown; nut ⅙ in. long, cylindric, tessellated, stalked, with short pallid 3- (ovate) lobed straw-coloured hypog. disk, hardly longer than the stalks of the nut.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=S. globonux= _C. B. Clarke._
Leaves with spreading hairs or glabrate. Nut large, globose, tessellate, minutely hairy on edge of reticulations; hypog. disc 3-lobed, lobes subquadrate; otherwise as above.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=S. complanata= _Boeck._
Annual; stems 3 ft. long, minutely rusty retrorse scabrous. Leaves 4-12 in. long. Lowest axillary ped. hardly exserted from sheath; ped. carrying 1-4 fem. fl.; nut-bearing spikelets ab. ¼ in. long, pale green or reddish; spikelet bract as long as it; nut small, subglobose, tessellated, pallid; hypog. disc short funnel-shaped with 3 thin straw- coloured ovate lobes.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=S. Schimperiana= _Boeck._ =var. hypoxis= _C. B. Clarke._
Slightly hairy herb; stems 16 in. long. Leaves 12 in. long, ¼ in. or more broad, very obtuse at tip. Lowest axillary ped. exserted 1-2 in., carrying 3-5 nuts. Fem. spikelets ¼ in. long, chestnut-brown; nut large, depressed globose, smooth, white; hypog. disc with 3 small oblong, pallid lobes.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
=S. canaliculato-triquetra= _Boeck._
Robust herb; stem 3-5 ft. long. Leaves 8-12 by ¼-⅓ in. Lowest axillary peduncle remote, often exserted 3-6 in., carrying up to 20-50 spikelets. Nut ⅛ in. long, ovoid, white, smooth; 3 lobes of disc small, tipped with minute tails.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=S. gracillima= _Boeck._
Very slender, glabrous herb; stems 16-24 in. long, almost capillary, each bearing 2-3 nuts. Leaves 4-8 in. long, narrow. Pan. very slender, with few branches; lowest ped. remote, exserted ½-1½ in., nodding, with 1 nut. Spikelets all 1-sexual, the fem. scarcer, 1/6-1/5 in. long; nut minute, globose, smooth, white; lobes of disc 3, short, rounded.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
=S. melanomphala= _Kunth._
Robust, glabrate to hairy herb; rhizome creeping; stems 2-3 ft. long, scabrous to smooth, 3-angled. Leaves up to 24 by ⅓ in., scabrous on margins. Infl. straggling 1-2 ft., compound, partial panicles dense oblong to linear. Spikelets 1-sexual, ¼-⅓ in. long, green or mottled with brown; nut ⅛ in. long, ovoid, smooth, white or with black tip; disc obpyramidal, large, ruddy black, margin triangular yellow; lobes 0.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: River Hoo, Buddu); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=S. racemosa= _Poir._
Robust, glabrous herb; rhizome thick scaly; stems 3-6 ft. long. Leaves 1-2 ft. by ½-1¼ in. 3-nerved, scabrous on margins, near top suddenly narrowed; sheaths 3-winged; ligule ovate 3-angular, up to ¼ in. long. Infl. up to 1 ft. long; partial panicles 2-3 in. long on stout axillary peduncles, forming a terminal compound panicle. Spikelets 1-sexual, 1/5 in. long, pallid or dark; fem. glumes ovate, shorter than nut; nut ¼-⅙ in. long, ovoid, white or coloured; disc thickened, the lobes forming a cup with densely ciliate margin, holding the base of the nut.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
838 =Diplacrum africanum= _C. B. Clarke._
Weak, nearly glabrous annual; stems tufted, 2-5 in. long, leafy. Leaves 1-1½ in. by 1/8-1/5 in., tip suddenly acuminate. Infl. of minute axillary heads often all up the stem. Spikelets ab. 1/10 in. long, ovate-lanc., greenish, all 1-sexual; nut minute, subglobose, white, striate.
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Flora of the SudanChapter XVI: Part 16
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