taxonID	type	description	language	source
03805A6F8721FFE1FF3AEDBBFB64FCA8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: — Ficinia bolusiana is characterised by its tufted perennial habit forming circles of up to 30 cm diameter but lacking a visible rhizome, culms to 30 cm tall, leaf sheaths not papery, and inflorescences capitate. Ficinia bolusiana is morphologically most similar to F. dunensis Levyns (1947: 13), especially in its common gross morphology. These taxa differ in habit, with F. bolusiana growing in tufts comprising over 20 culms that are congested with no visible rhizome, whereas F. dunensis has a wiry rhizome and the tillers / shoots barely reach 10 culms. There are also ecological and geographical differences. Ficinia bolusiana grows inland in the Fynbos / Succulent Karoo ecotone on shale to sandy soils above 200 m, whereas F. dunensis is restricted to calcareous sands below 100 m elevation. Type: — SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape Province. Worcester: along R 46 between Ceres and N 1, 33 ° 18 ’ 52.4 ” S 19 ° 48 ’ 27.3 ” E, 24 September 2014, A. M. Muasya & C. H. Stirton 7168 (holotype BOL!, isotype NBG!). Perennial, forming tufts to 20 cm diameter, shortly spaced tillers / shoots comprise over 20 stems. Culms 220 – 400 mm tall, 0.4 – 0.7 mm thick, ca. 2.7 mm thick across the rim / edge of the leaf sheath, glabrous. Leaf sheath 25 – 83 mm long, glabrous, not papery, glossy, brown to creamish, without a ligule. Leaf blade 33 – 95 × 0.4 – 0.9 mm, flat to channelled, glabrous, margin scabrid. Involucral bracts 3 – 5, leaf-like, and lowermost enclosing spikelets, 15 – 34 mm long, glabrous, margin scabrid. Inflorescence capitate, each with over 4 – 7 spikelets. Spikelets 4.3 – 5.4 × 1.4 – 2.4 mm, terete, dark brown, florets bisexual. Glumes 3.3 – 5.3 mm long, ovate with a mucro up to 0.5 mm long, margins entire. Stamens 3; anthers 1.5 – 3.1 mm long, crested. Style trifid, 3.1 – 4.4 mm long. Nutlets 2.1 – 2.7 × 1.0 – 1.5 mm, dark brown, papillose; hypogynous disc up to 0.2 mm long, cupular, not distinctly lobed.	en	Muasya, A. Muthama, Stirton, Charles H. (2022): Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Phytotaxa 550 (3): 287-294, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.9
03805A6F8721FFE1FF3AEDBBFB64FCA8.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology: — Occurs in the Northern and Western Cape (Fig. 2) and is found between 200 – 1400 m elevation in deep sandy soils in arid fynbos in the ecotonal areas of Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes.	en	Muasya, A. Muthama, Stirton, Charles H. (2022): Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Phytotaxa 550 (3): 287-294, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.9
03805A6F8721FFE1FF3AEDBBFB64FCA8.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — The epithet bolusiana celebrates the Bolus herbarium, which is a hub for taxonomic studies of the Cape flora. Established in 1865, it is the oldest functioning herbarium in (South) Africa. Conservation status: — This species is widespread and occurs in areas that are not under disruptive land use practices. Therefore, we consider it to be of Least Concern (LC) based on the IUCN (2022) criteria. Additional specimens studied: — SOUTH AFRICA. Northern Cape Province. Springbok: Farm Kap Vley 315 (2917 CD), 10 October 1986, A. Le Roux & J. W. Lloyd 714 (PRE); 30 km SE of Springbok, Klipfontein 266 (2917 DD), 5 July 2013, N. A. Helme 7783 (BOL). Kamiesberg: Studer’s Pass area (3018 AC), 13 May 2013, A. M. Muasya & N. Moiloa 6940 (BOL); Leliefontein to Khamieskroon (3018 AC) 24 November 2015, A. M. Muasya, N. Moiloa, A. Garcia-Madrid, S. Chimphango 7040 (BOL). Calvinia: Botterkloof Pass, summit of Pass (3119 CD), October 1975, T. H. Arnold 934 (K, PRE). Western Cape Province. Clanwilliam: Wildshutskraal, from N 7 towards Paleisheuwel (3218 BD), 24 Oct 2009, A. M. Muasya & C. H. Stirton 4792 (BOL). Wuppertal: Cedarberg, Middelberg Plateau (3219 AC), 14 December 1941, E. E. Esterhuysen 7223 (PRE); Klipfonteinrand, N. of Pakhuis Pass (3219 AA), 22 September 1969, E. E. Esterhuysen 32193 (K, PRE); Cedarberg Pass, between Citrusdal and Ceres (3219 AC), October 1975, T. H. Arnold 1001 (K, PRE); Cedarberg State Forest, Sneeuberg shale band (3219 AC), 27 October 1989, D. C. Le Maitre 627 (PRE); Cedarberg, NW. of Sneeuberg hut, along track to Noordpoort (3219 AC), 19 September 1984, H. C. Taylor 11066 (PRE); Central Cedarberg, Welbedacht (3219 AC), 30 September 1986, H. C. Taylor 11595 (NBG, PRE); Citrusdal, 15 Km from Citrusdal on road to Ceres (3219 CA), October 1975, T. H. Arnold 991 (K, PRE); Ceres Karoo, along road to Kagga Kamma (3219 DC), 1 October 2009, A. M. Muasya, I. Jardine, C. H. Stirton 4595 (BOL); Swartruggens, Knolfontein (3219 DC), 18 November 2014, A. M. Muasya & Y. Ito 7215 (BOL). Worcester: Southern Witzenberg Mts., Ceres Peak (3319 AD), October 1975, T. H. Arnold 972 (K, NU, PRE); Swartruggens (3319 BA), 16 September 1964, H. C. Taylor 5877 (K, NBG, NU, PRE); Brandvlei Dam (3319 CB), 03 August 2014, A. M. Muasya & N. Moiloa 7139 (BOL); Hex River Mts., Ezelsfontein (3319 DA), 01 September 1952, E. E. Esterhuysen 20366 (PRE, K). Oudtshoorn: Camfer Station (3322 CD), 29 September 1962, J. P. H. Acocks 22858 (BR, PRE).	en	Muasya, A. Muthama, Stirton, Charles H. (2022): Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Phytotaxa 550 (3): 287-294, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.9
03805A6F8722FFE1FF3AE801FE01F7C5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: — Ficinia stirtonii is morphologically most similar to F. argyropus Nees (1836: 177), especially based on a common gross morphology (rhizomatous, bulbous culm base, papery white leaf sheaths) and partial overlapping of their distribution ranges. Ficinia stirtonii differs in its shortly spicate inflorescence (vs. capitate), shape of involucral bracts auriculate (vs. linear) and glume margins entire (vs. fimbriate). Type: — SOUTH AFRICA. Eastern Cape Province. Willowmore: Baviaanskloof, Nuwekloof Pass, 33 ° 30.071 ’ S 023 ° 38.000 ’ E, 20 December 2009, A. M. Muasya & C. H. Stirton 5265 (holotype BOL!, isotype NBG! PRE!). Perennial, culm base bulbous, surculose, rhizome to 3.8 mm diameter, spacing between consecutive tillers / shoots up to 70 mm apart. Culms 120 – 350 mm tall, 0.6 – 1.4 mm thick, ca. 3.8 mm thick across the rim / edge of the leaf sheath, glabrous. Leaf sheath 23 – 78 mm long, glabrous, papery, white, ligule ca. 5 mm long. Leaf blade 31 – 134 × 0.4 – 0.8 mm, canaliculate, glabrous, margin minutely scabrid. Involucral bracts 3 – 5, leaf-like and lowermost partially sheathing spikelets, 11 – 53 mm long, auricular and papery. Inflorescence a contracted spike, rachis up to 3 mm long, each spike comprises between over 4 – 25 spikelets. Spikelets 3.4 – 5.7 × 1.4 – 3.4 mm, terete, dark brown, florets bisexual. Glumes 2.0 – 3.2 mm long, ovate with a mucro up to 0.3 mm long; margins entire and membranous. Stamens 3; anthers 1.4 – 2.4 mm long, crested. Style trifid, 2.3 – 3.5 mm long. Nutlets 1.4 – 1.7 × 1.0 – 1.1 mm, dark brown, papillose; hypogynous disc up to 0.2 mm long, cupular, 6 – 9 - lobed.	en	Muasya, A. Muthama, Stirton, Charles H. (2022): Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Phytotaxa 550 (3): 287-294, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.9
03805A6F8722FFE1FF3AE801FE01F7C5.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology: — Known from deep sandy soils in arid fynbos vegetation in Eastern and Western Cape, occurring at altitudes of 800 – 1300 m. (Fig. 2).	en	Muasya, A. Muthama, Stirton, Charles H. (2022): Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Phytotaxa 550 (3): 287-294, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.9
03805A6F8722FFE1FF3AE801FE01F7C5.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — The epithet stirtonii honours the botanist Charles Howard Stirton (C. H. Stirt.; https: // ipni. org / a / 12280 - 1), who has made life-long contributions to African botany and mentored many upcoming researchers. Conservation status: — This species is widespread, though under collected, and occurs in areas that are not under disruptive land use practices. Therefore, we consider it to be of Least Concern (LC) based on the IUCN (2022) criteria. Additional specimens studied: — SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape Province. Wuppertal: Kagga Kamma Game Reserve (3219 DA), 24 September 1991, C. Reid 1474 (GENT, NBG, PRE); Ceres Karoo, along road to Kagga Kamma (3219 DC), 30 September 2009, A. M. Muasya, I. Jardine & C. H. Stirton 4583 (BOL). Worcester: along R 46 between Ceres and N 1 (3319 BD), 24 September 2014, A. M. Muasya & C. H. Stirton 7170 (BOL). Montagu: Touws River, Farm Pienaarskloof (3320 AA), A. M. Muasya in Harry Bolus Commemorative Trip 154 (BOL). Oudtshoorn: Swartberg Nature Reserve, along road to Gamkaskloof (3322 AC), 4 November 2017, A. M. Muasya 7601 (BOL). Eastern Cape Province. Willowmore: Baviaanskloof, Nuwekloof Pass to Hartebeesriver (3323 AD), 20 December 2009, A. M. Muasya & C. H. Stirton 5270 (BOL); Baviaanskloof, Uitspan farm (3323 DA), 19 December 2009, A. M. Muasya & C. H. Stirton 5240 (BOL).	en	Muasya, A. Muthama, Stirton, Charles H. (2022): Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Phytotaxa 550 (3): 287-294, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.9
03805A6F8724FFE5FF3AEFBBFA26FDC9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: — Ficinia swartruggensis is morphologically most similar to F. bulbosa (Linnaeus, 1771: 178) Nees (1833: 91) in having a tufted habit and spicate inflorescence, but differs in lacks the bulbous culm bases and a spike shortly contracted (vs. lax) with rachis of spikelet heads <2 mm long (vs.> 5 mm long). Type: — SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape Province. Wuppertal: Ceres Karoo, Kagga Kamma, near mast, 32 ° 51 ’ 14.2 ” S 19 ° 38 ’ 00.9 ” E, 1 October 2009, A. M. Muasya, I. Jardine & C. H. Stirton 4601 (holotype BOL!, isotypes NBG!, PRE!). Perennial, caespitose, tufts above 5 cm diameter, no visible rhizome. Culms 125 – 230 mm tall, 0.4 – 0.6 mm thick, ca. 1.6 mm thick across the rim / edge of the leaf sheath, glabrous. Leaf sheath 19 – 46 mm long, reddish brown at base, papery and white at apex, ligule ca. 4 mm long. Leaf blade 20 – 65 × 0.3 – 0.6 mm, canaliculate, glabrous, margin minutely scabrid. Involucral bracts 3 – 5, leaf-like and lowermost partially sheathing spikelets, 8 – 27 mm long. Inflorescence a contracted spike comprising 2 – 3 spikelet heads separated by a rachis up to 2 mm long, lower cluster comprising 1 – 2 spikelets, upper cluster 3 – 5 spikelets; each spikelet cluster subtended by an involucral bract with auricular lobes. Spikelets 3.6 – 6.0 × 1.8 – 2.3 mm, terete, reddish brown, florets bisexual. Glumes 2.8 – 4.1 mm long, ovate with a mucro up to 0.6 mm long; margins entire. Stamens 3; anthers 1.4 – 2.3 mm long, crested. Style trifid, 2.1 – 3.5 mm long. Nutlets 1.5 – 1.9 × 0.7 – 1.0 mm, dark brown, smooth to minutely papillose, gynophore 3 – 5 - lobbed.	en	Muasya, A. Muthama, Stirton, Charles H. (2022): Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Phytotaxa 550 (3): 287-294, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.9
03805A6F8724FFE5FF3AEFBBFA26FDC9.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology: — Occurs in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces (Fig. 2). It is found at elevations between 1200 – 2000 m in arid fynbos on sandstone (sandy, rocky) substrate.	en	Muasya, A. Muthama, Stirton, Charles H. (2022): Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Phytotaxa 550 (3): 287-294, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.9
03805A6F8724FFE5FF3AEFBBFA26FDC9.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — The epithet swartruggensis refers to the region where the type specimens and the majority of known populations are located. Conservation status: — This species is localized in the Swartruggens and extends into the Northern Cape, though is probably under collected and in areas that are not under disruptive land use practices. Therefore, we consider it to be of Least Concern (LC) based on the IUCN (2022) criteria. Additional specimens studied: — SOUTH AFRICA. Northern Cape Province. Calvinia: Karreehout River south of Perdekloof (3119 DD), 21 August 1975, M. F. Thompson 2525 (BOL). Sutherland: Geelhoek (3220 BC), 27 August 1953, J. P. H. Acocks 16981 (PRE); turnoff to De Plaat Farm (3220 DC), 14 September 1986, A. C. Fellingham 1195 (NBG, PRE). Western Cape Province. Wuppertal: Swartruggens, Knolfontein (3219 DC), 13 April 2011, I. Jardine 1550 (BOL); 17 August 2011, I. Jardine 1556 (BOL); 30 September 2009, A. M. Muasya, I. Jardine & C. H. Stirton 4593 (BOL); along road to Kagga Kamma, 01 October 2009, A. M. Muasya, I. Jardine & C. H. Stirton 4594 (BOL); c. 10 m from farm dam, 2 October 2009, A. M. Muasya, I. Jardine & C. H. Stirton 4616 (BOL); 18 November 2014, A. M. Muasya & Y. Ito 7216 (BOL). Worcester: Ceres, Bo Swaarmoed, north of Hottentots Kraal dam (3319 BC), 20 September 2021, N. A. Helme 10202 (BOL). Montagu: Witteberg Nature Reserve (3320 AD), 19 February 2011, A. M. Muasya, S. Chimphango & C. H. Stirton 5912 (BOL); 3 km S of Matjiesfontein (3320 BC), 25 August 2016, N. A. Helme 8936 (BOL); Drie Kuilen Private Nature Reserve (3320 CA), 1 September 2014, A. M. Muasya 7151 (BOL).	en	Muasya, A. Muthama, Stirton, Charles H. (2022): Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Phytotaxa 550 (3): 287-294, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.9
