Status:
valid
Authors:
Retz.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1786
Citation Micro:
Observ. Bot. 4: 13 (1786)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000551175
Common Names
- Levis Scleria
- Scleria levis
- Leafy Scleria
Description
Scleria levis (also called Smooth Nutrush, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the southeastern United States. It has a single stem with a rosette of leaves near the base and a terminal inflorescence of small greenish-brown flowers. It grows in wet meadows, marshes, and swamps in its native range.
Uses & Benefits
Scleria levis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes, and its foliage is eaten by some species of caterpillars. It is also used as a source of nectar for butterflies and other pollinators.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Scleria levis is a small, white, star-shaped flower with five petals and yellow anthers. The seed is a small, dark brown, oval-shaped seed. The seedlings are small, green, and have a single, oval-shaped leaf.
Cultivation and Propagation
Scleria levis is a perennial plant that grows in moist, well-drained soils. It prefers partial shade and can tolerate some drought. Propagation is best done by seed, which should be sown in spring or early summer. The seed should be lightly covered with soil and kept moist until germination occurs. It can also be propagated by division of the rootstock in spring.
Where to Find Scleria levis
Scleria levis is native to South America and can be found in wetland habitats.
Scleria levis FAQ
What is the scientific name of Scleria levis?
Scleria levis
What is the common name of Scleria levis?
Smooth Nutrush
What is the natural habitat of Scleria levis?
Moist, sandy or rocky soils in open woods and prairies
Species in the Scleria genus
Scleria acanthocarpa,
Scleria achtenii,
Scleria adpressohirta,
Scleria alpina,
Scleria amazonica,
Scleria anceps,
Scleria andringitrensis,
Scleria angusta,
Scleria angustifolia,
Scleria annularis,
Scleria anomala,
Scleria arcuata,
Scleria arguta,
Scleria aromatica,
Scleria assamica,
Scleria atroglumis,
Scleria balansae,
Scleria baldwinii,
Scleria bambariensis,
Scleria baroni-clarkei,
Scleria baronii,
Scleria benthamii,
Scleria bequaertii,
Scleria biflora,
Scleria boivinii,
Scleria boniana,
Scleria borii,
Scleria bourgeaui,
Scleria bracteata,
Scleria bradei,
Scleria brownii,
Scleria bulbifera,
Scleria burchellii,
Scleria calcicola,
Scleria camaratensis,
Scleria canescens,
Scleria carphiformis,
Scleria castanea,
Scleria catophylla,
Scleria chevalieri,
Scleria chlorantha,
Scleria chlorocalyx,
Scleria ciliaris,
Scleria ciliata,
Scleria clarkei,
Scleria clathrata,
Scleria colorata,
Scleria comosa,
Scleria composita,
Scleria corymbosa,
Species in the Cyperaceae family
Abildgaardia mexicana,
Abildgaardia ovata,
Abildgaardia schoenoides,
Abildgaardia triflora,
Abildgaardia oxystachya,
Abildgaardia odontocarpa,
Abildgaardia macrantha,
Abildgaardia fusiformis,
Abildgaardia pachyptera,
Actinoschoenus repens,
Actinoschoenus yunnanensis,
Actinoschoenus aphyllus,
Actinoscirpus grossus,
Afrotrilepis jaegeri,
Afrotrilepis pilosa,
Amphiscirpus nevadensis,
Arthrostylis aphylla,
Arthrostylis planiculmis,
Becquerelia clarkei,
Becquerelia cymosa,
Becquerelia discolor,
Becquerelia merkeliana,
Becquerelia muricata,
Becquerelia tuberculata,
Bisboeckelera irrigua,
Bisboeckelera longifolia,
Bisboeckelera microcephala,
Bisboeckelera vinacea,
Blysmus compressus,
Blysmus mongolicola,
Blysmus rufus,
Blysmus sinocompressus,
Bolboschoenoplectus mariqueter,
Bolboschoenus caldwellii,
Bolboschoenus capensis,
Bolboschoenus fluviatilis,
Bolboschoenus glaucus,
Bolboschoenus grandispicus,
Bolboschoenus laticarpus,
Bolboschoenus maritimus,
Bolboschoenus medianus,
Bolboschoenus nobilis,
Bolboschoenus novae-angliae,
Bolboschoenus planiculmis,
Bolboschoenus robustus,
Bolboschoenus schmidii,
Bolboschoenus stagnicola,
Bolboschoenus yagara,
Bolboschoenus koshevnikovii,
Bolboschoenus biconcavus,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:314824-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].