| Abstract |
The genus Carex L. (Cyperaceae) contains three subgenera, more than 70 sections, and 1500—2500 species in the world. In Taiwan, it includes about 60 species, 3 subgenera, and 26 sections. Identification of the taxa of the genus is relatively difficult, because its reproductive and sexual organs are reduced, and many species are morphologically in similarity. It is therefore necessary to clarify the variation ranges of characters and correct scientific name of each species. This study excludes the section of Praecoces of the subgenus Carex, because it was taxonomically treated 13 years ago. My attempt in this study is to employ macro-morphological characters to solve taxonomic problems for those species in Taiwan. In addition, anatomical characters are also applied in order to explore their possibilities applicable to the whole genus.
Five anatomical characters, including outline shapes of leaf transverse section, shape of adaxial ribs, shape of air-cavities, and numbers of lateral veins, numbers and shape of bulliform cells, were used. Because of lack of fresh materials, only 4 species consisting of C. cruciate, C. filicina, C. rafflesiana and C. satsumensis in the genus Carex have been observed. Those anatomic characters are verified useful.
In this study, taxonomic treatment of 39 taxa (38 species and 1 variety) have been made, except those the section Praecoces. In the treatments, three species, C. caucasia Steven, C. subfilicinoides Kükenthal, C. longistipes Hayata were treated as synonym of C. atrata L., C. filicina Nees, C. fulvorubescens Hayata, respectively; five species, C. fulvorubescens, C. liui Koyama & Chuang, C. morii Hayata, C. purpureotincta Ohwi and C. urelytra Ohwi, were confirmed endemic to Taiwan. The color pictures, line drawings, and distribution maps for 39 taxa were provided. |
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