Machaerina (twigrush)[2] is a genus of flowering plants in the sedge family. Its species occur in tropical America, the West Indies, Malesia, Australia and the Pacific region. The name comes from the Greek machaira (a large knife), alluding to the shape of the leaves in the type speciesMachaerina restioides.[3]

Machaerina
Machaerina angustifolia on Maui, Hawaii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Machaerina
M.Vahl (1805)
Synonyms[1]
  • Baumea Gaudich.
  • Vincentia Gaudich.
  • Chapelliera Nees
  • Trachyrhynchium Nees
  • Terobera Steud.
  • Agylla Phil.

Description edit

The species in the genus are rhizomatous perennials. The leaves are mainly basal, with a few cauline, laterally compressed, distichous and equitant at base. The culms are tufted and pithy. The inflorescence consists of several partial panicles. The flowers may be bisexual or male.[3]

Species edit

Described species include:[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Machaerina". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Machaerina". Flora of Australia Online: Data derived from Flora of Australia Volume 49 (1994). Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS). Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  4. ^ "Machaerina". The Plant List: A working list of all plant species. The Plant List. 2010. Retrieved 2014-02-04.