Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Scleria lithosperma [misidentified as Scleria biflora]

The above specimen is more likely Scleria lithosperma than S. biflora. After checking a bunch of literatures I found that nuts of S. biflora should be globose, regularly cancellate and beaked with black/purplish persistent style base. It is obviously wrong for the above specimen which is having obtusely trigonous, smooth and shining nuts. Both species could have simple inflorescence which is originally thought not the case for S. lithosperma.

I here keep the original message of S. biflora. However its status might not be correct:

Scleria biflora (Cyperaceae) is most likely the smallest Scleria species in Hong Kong. Inflorescence only bears one or two florets which gives its scientific name biflora. It is quite common in Hong Kong which can mainly be found in forest edge, shrubland or path side. However, the inflorescence or nuts are too inconspicuous which might usually be overlooked. It is also difficult to photograph where the above pictures are heavily cropped in order to show its inflorescence and nuts.

2 comments:

maG said...

Is this possible be S. biflora http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dRljYkWW6O8/TNF6CM8OFNI/AAAAAAAACes/VqvcpibU9Eg/s1600/DSC_5903s-779780.JPG

Chun-Chiu, Pang said...

I have never seen this before. I need a closer photo of its nut and could only check when I am back.