keys to the vascular plants of east texas - Botanical Research ...

650 CYPERACEAE/SCLERIA
2002d; Poole et al. 2002), given its limited distribution in the state, we consider this species to be
of conservation concern in TX. �
Scleria ciliata Michx., (ciliate, fringed), FRINGED NUT-RUSH, CILIATE NUT-RUSH. Rhizomatous perennial
20–70(–90) cm tall, pubescent to glabrous; inflorescence usually a single head-like cluster
of spikelets, with 1 or 2 additional clusters sometimes in close proximity to the first; achene
body (1.5–)2–3.6 mm long, irregularly warty and sometimes with horizontal ridges; basal pad
bearing 3 entire or 2-lobed tubercles. Moist to dry sandy woods or open areas; e 1/3 of TX; se U.S.
from VA s to FL w to MO and TX. Varieties are not distinguished on the county distribution
map. The key to varieties is modified from Reznicek et al. (2002).
1. Culms glabrous or essentially so; leaves and bracts not ciliate _______________________________ var. glabra
1. Culms pubescent; leaves and bracts ciliate.
2. Widest leaves 1–3.5 mm wide; achenes 2–3 mm long, 1.5–2.3 mm wide ____________________ var. ciliata
2. Widest leaves 3.5–7 mm wide; achenes 2.6–3.6 mm long, 2–2.6 mm wide __________________ var. elliottii
var. ciliata, FRINGED NUT-RUSH. Pineywoods and Gulf Prairies and Marshes w to Bastrop Co.
(BRIT) in the s part of East TX and to Montague (BRIT) and Wise (Turner et al. 2003) cos. in the
Cross Timbers and Prairies; se U.S. from VA s to FL w to MO and TX. Late Apr–Jul.
var. elliottii (Chapm.) Fernald, (for Stephen Elliott, 1771–1830). Hardin Co. (Cory 52,781, MICH—
information provided by A. Reznicek, pers. comm.); while we have seen no material of this variety
from East TX, Reznicek et al. (2002) cited it as occurring in TX (based on the Cory specimen), and
noted that it “grows primarily on the outer Coastal Plain”; se U.S. from VA s to FL w to TX. [S.
elliottii Chapm.] Reznicek (pers. comm.) notes that this variety is “probably a distinct species.”
While not officially designated as such (e.g., TOES 1993; Carr 2002d; Poole et al. 2002), given its
limited distribution in the state, we consider this variety to be of conservation concern in TX. �
var. glabra (Chapm.) Fairey, (smooth, hairless), BRITTON’S NUT-RUSH. Jefferson Co. (Correll &
Johnston 1970) and also cited for the Post Oak Savannah by Hatch et al. (1990); se U.S. from NC
s to FL w to TX. Summer. [S. brittonii Core ex Small, S. pauciflora Muhl. ex Willd. var. glabra
Chapm.] This taxon has variously been recognized as a distinct species (e.g., S. brittonii—e.g.,
Core 1966; Correll & Johnston 1970), a variety (Fairey 1967; Reznicek et al. 2002), or not recognized
as distinct (e.g., Kessler 1987). The fact that it appears to be based solely on pubescence
raises questions about its biological reality. While not officially designated as such (e.g., TOES
1993; Carr 2002d; Poole et al. 2002), given its limited distribution in the state, we consider this
variety to be of conservation concern in TX. �
Scleria distans Sw., (widely separated), RIVER-SWAMP NUT-RUSH. Rhizomatous perennial usually
15–65 cm tall; inflorescence spike-like and interrupted, with 3–8 distinct well-spaced clusters
of spikelets in addition to the terminal cluster; achene body not subtended by a basal pad, 1–2
mm long, usually smooth. Moist to dry pine barrens and grassy areas, sandy or sandy peat soils;
known in TX only from Waller Co. (Correll & Johnston 1970; Turner et al. 2003 as S. hirtella);
se U.S. from NC s to FL w to TX. Spring–summer. [S. hirtella of authors, not Sw., S. nutans Willd.
ex Kunth] This species has long gone under the name of S. hirtella (e.g., Hatch et al. 1990;
Kartesz 1999; Turner et al. 2003). However, according to Reznicek et al. (2002), the name S.
hirtella, “properly belongs to an annual species of tropical America.” Though generally smooth,
the achene can sometimes have some surface irregularities (Kessler 1987). While not officially
designated as such (e.g., TOES 1993; Carr 2002d; Poole et al. 2002), given its limited distribution
in the state, we consider this species to be of conservation concern in TX. �
Scleria georgiana Core, (of Georgia), SLENDER-FRUIT NUT-RUSH, GEORGIA NUT-RUSH. Rhizomatous
perennial 30–50 cm tall; inflorescence a single terminal cluster of spikelets; achene body not subtended
by a basal pad, ca. 2(–3) mm long, smooth or longitudinally ridged, at very base triangular