Ficinia leaves at the De Hoop Reserve

Cyperaceae, the sedge family, in Afrikaans called rietgrasse (reed grasses), comprises about 100 genera. One of them, the genus Ficinia, is characterised mainly by tufted perennials with flat bladed or keeled basal leaves.

The Ficinia leaves in picture have small, narrow, dark green blades. This is one of about 25 Ficinia species growing in the coastal sandy soil of the De Hoop Reserve where the photo was taken. The leaves seen here have abruptly ending tips without any attenuation (Manning, 2007; Riley, 1963).