Distribution Map

Cyperus distans

                   
                   
                           
(Mariscus keniensis)
(Cyperus keniensis)

Cyperaceae Cyperoideae Cyperoideae 

As at April 2024, 15 herbarium specimens, 10 photo records, 2 visual observations

South African Red List status: LC
Global Distribution: Also occurs outside southern Africa
Found within protected areas: Mlawula Malolotja

Description (Compton's Flora of Swaziland*):
Cyperus distans - Robust, up to 1,2 in high, usually less, with swollen base. Leaves numerous, flat, basal often turned backwards. Stem sharply triangular. Inflorescence copious, axes stiffly erect or spreading and repeatedly branched, with large number of spikelets singly or in twos or threes along their length. Spikelets dark brown, very slender, up to 1,5 cm long; glumes only just overlapping. Inflorescence surrounded by several unequal leaf-like bracts, longest exceeding it in length.

* Where species names have changed, these have been matched according to herbarium specimens quoted in this publication.

Notes:
Global distribution information: southern Africa includes southern Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe.
Restricted distribution has been based on an estimated extent of occurence of less than 100 000 km2 and/or an estimated area of occupancy of 100 km2, based on geo-referenced GBIF and iNaturalist data.