| Scleria | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scleria testacea | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: |
Scleria P.J.Bergius |
| Diversity | |
| About 200 species | |
Scleria is a genus of flowering plants in the sedge family, Cyperaceae. They are known commonly as nutrushes. [1] They are distributed throughout the tropics, and some species have ranges extending into temperate areas. [2] There are about 200 species. [2] [3]
Etymology
The genus name Scleria is Greek, meaning "hardness", in reference to the tough seeds. [4]
Description
Plants of this genus are diverse in appearance. These are mostly perennial, but sometimes annual. Some have rhizomes. They produce solitary stems or clumps of many. They are a few centimeters tall to well over one meter. They have few leaves or many. The inflorescence is variable, ranging from a single spikelet to over 100. [3] Despite the variety, examination of the fruits and subterranean structures is required to distinguish species. [2]
References
External links
- Camelbeke, K. and P. Goetghebeur. (2002). The genus Scleria (Cyperaceae) in Colombia. An updated checklist. Caldasia 24(2), 259–68.
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