Lepidosperma canescens

Lepidosperma canescens (common name hoary rapier-sedge)[3] is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to south-east South Australia and Victoria.[4] There are no synonyms.[1][4]

Lepidosperma canescens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Lepidosperma
Species:
L. canescens
Binomial name
Lepidosperma canescens
Occurrence data from AVH

Description

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Lepidosperma canescens is a clump-forming perennial with short rhizomes. It has terete, rigid, erect, and smooth culms which are 25–100 cm by 0.8–2.0 mm. The leaf-blades are similar to the culms but usually shorter and from 0.7–2 mm in diameter. The sheaths are yellow-brown to dark grey-brown, and are sometimes a dark reddish near the apex. They are not sticky. The inflorescences are fan-shaped to oblong. They are loose, erect, and 3–8 cm by about 2 cm. The involucral bract is shorter than the inflorescence. The spikelets are 5–7 mm long. The nut is obovoid (2–3 mm by 1.0–1.3 mm), and brown, smooth, and shining.[5]

Uses

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This sedge was used by Aborigines for weaving artefacts, and is used by the aboriginal artist, Yvonne Koolmatrie, for her weaving.[6][7][8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lepidosperma canescens". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. ^ Boeckeler, J.O. (1874). "Die Cyperaceen den Königlichen Herbariums zu Berlin". Linnaea: Ein Journal für die Botanik in ihrem ganzen Umfange, oder Beiträge zur Pflanzenkunde. 38 (3): 330.
  3. ^ "Fact sheet for Lepidosperma canescens". www.flora.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Lepidosperma canescens Boeckeler | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Flora of Victoria: Lepidosperma canescens". vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  6. ^ Selling Yarns (12 August 2007), River Bunyip: Yvonne Koolmatrie, 2003, retrieved 13 March 2020
  7. ^ Barritt, Michael J. (14 April 2018), Yvonne Koolmatrie, River Dreaming, 2012, sedge rushes (Lepidosperma canescens)., retrieved 13 March 2020
  8. ^ Hall (Teniche), Theresa (6 July 2017), Sister baskets. Artist: Yvonne Koolmatrie, retrieved 13 March 2020
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