Open AccessNutlet micromorphology of C arex section R homboidales sensu K ükenthal ( C yperaceae) and its systematic implications
Author(s) -
Jin XiaoFeng,
Zhou YingYing,
Hipp Andrew,
Jin ShuiHu,
Oda Jiro,
Ikeda Hiroshi,
Yano Okihito,
Nagamasu Hidetoshi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/boj.12149
Subject(s) - biology , sensu , cyperaceae , botany , section (typography) , carex , taxon , poaceae , genus , advertising , business
The sectional delimitation of C arex section R homboidales sensu K ükenthal (1909) is problematic and, here, we provide contributions to a systematic understanding of nutlet micromorphology in section R homboidales. Nutlet micromorphology of 87 samples representing 71 taxa was investigated using scanning electron microscopy and nine nutlet types were recognized. Although some closely related taxa show similarities, nutlet morphology in section R homboidales is stable at the species level and is reliable for species identification. Based on the nutlet characters, section R homboidales is delimited and emended as having nutlet rhombic–ovoid, trigonous; beaks conspicuous, erect, rarely curved or coiled; periclinal walls of epidermal cells straight, with zero to two silica bodies. The species with nutlets of the C . harlandii ‐type and C . thibetica ‐type are included, and species of the C . chinensis ‐type and C . macrandrolepsis ‐type are ascribed to section M itratae and section I nfossae , respectively. C arex longirostrata and C . pseudolongirostrata (= C . nodaeana ), formerly ascribed to section C areyanae or section D epauperatae , are well supported as members of section R homboidales . © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2014, 175 , 123–143.