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Issue: Vol. 308 No. 2: 7 June 2017
Type: Article
Published: 2017-06-07
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.308.2.5
Page range: 239–248
Abstract views: 15
PDF downloaded: 2

Carex xueyingiana (Cyperaceae), a new species from Hainan Island, China

College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture and Center of Experimental Teaching for Common Basic Courses, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510640, People’s Republic of China The Orchid Conservation & Research Center of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518114, People’s Republic of China
Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Longdong, Guangzhou 510520, People’s Republic of China
Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510520, People’s Republic of China
Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Longdong, Guangzhou 510520, People’s Republic of China
Carex sect. Radicales conservation status IUCN taxonomy Moncots

Abstract

A new species of Carex (Cyperaceae), Carex xueyingiana, from section Radicales, is described and illustrated from Hainan Island, China. We analyzed 35 morphological characters using Cluster Analysis and Principal Components Analysis to evaluate the relationships between the new species and the 15 species from the same section occurring in China. The new species is similar to C. chlorocephalula, displaying pubescent rhizomes, leaves densely hispidulous on both surfaces, and slender tufted culms. Carex xueyingiana differs from C. chlorocephalula by the leaves distinctly longer than culms (not equaling these), stems 4–6 mm wide (instead 1–3 mm), bracts sheath-like, 5–6 mm long (instead leaf-like and 2–3.5 cm long), spikes 7–10 mm long (instead 10–15 mm), and perigynium beakless (instead beaked). The new species is only known from Hainan Island and is assessed as Vulnerable (VU DD).