A taxonomic study of thePoa macrocalyx complex, with particular reference to the populations in eastern Hokkaido

Abstract

An attempt was made to investigate some populations of thePoa macrocalyx complex in eastern Hokkaido in relation to the taxonomy of this complex. Individual specimens preserved in TI, KYO and TNS were also studied. Chromosome counts of 2n=42 were obtained in the majority of a total of 84 collections, and counts of 2n=63 (incl. ca. 63), ca. 70 and 84 were also made in a few collections. High percentages of viable pollen were observed. The morphological features which were designated by previous authors to be significant in separatingPoa sachalinensis fromP. macrocalyx and in discriminating between the varieties ofP. macrocalyx were critically examined with emphasis on the observations of infra-population variation. It was confirmed that (1) the populations of thePoa macrocalyx complex in eastern Hokkaido are greatly variable morphologically and are also in a dynamic state cytogenetically, (2) plants of this complex in eastern Hokkaido belong to one and the same species,P. macrocalyx, and the varietiesfallax, scabriflora andtatewakiana may be merely morphs, and (3) some plants which are somewhat different from the plants in eastern Hokkaido with respect to glume features are distributed in Sakhalin, and northern and central Hokkaido. Some problems which should be subjected to further studies are pointed out.