Platycaulos

Culms usually branching, bearing persistent leaf-sheaths. Male spikelets in panicles or spikes, usually many per inflorescence (less often solitary and terminal); usually many florets per spikelet; each floret with a spathe or sheath at base; bracts many; perianth of 4-6 segments in 2 rows. Female inflorescence similar to or quite different from the male inflorescence, often with larger spikelets. Female spikelets with few-several bracts; perianth segments bony; ovary 1-3-locular; styles 3, plumose. Fruit a capsule, (1-)2-3-seeded.

Platycaulos is a group of plants in the Restionaceae described as a genus in 1984. The genus is native to Africa including Madagascar.

Species Platycaulos acutus - Cape Province Platycaulos anceps - Cape Province Platycaulos callistachyus - Cape Province Platycaulos cascadensis - Cape Province Platycaulos compressus - Cape Province Platycaulos depauperatus - Cape Province Platycaulos galpinii - Cape Province, KwaZulu-Natal Platycaulos mahonii - Zaïre, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar Platycaulos major - Cape Province Platycaulos mlanjiensis - Malawi Platycaulos quartziticola - Zimbabwe, Mozambique Platycaulos subcompressus - Cape Province