Notes on Carex (Cyperaceae) from China (III): the description of four new species

Abstract

Carex scopulus, C. bamaensis, C. pararadicalis and C. tingnungii, four new species from China, are described with illustrations in the present paper. Carex scopulus is similar to C. chungii (sect. Mitratae) in having achenes with angles constricted at the middle, but differs by having pistillate scales pale reddish brown and acuminate at apex, staminate scales reddish brown, and perigynia glabrous. Carex bamaensis is similar to C. lancifolia (sect. Clandestinae) in having culms lateral and leaf blades 2.5–6 mm wide, but differs in having culms, leaves and bracts all pilose, and pistillate spikes fairly densely flowered. Carex pararadicalis resembles C. handelii (sect. Chlorostachyae) in having rhizomes long and creeping, but differs by having the terminal spike gynecandrous, lateral spikes pistillate, and pistillate scales obtuse at apex and shorter than the perigynia. Carex tingnungii resembles C. plectobasis (subsect. Ferrugineae) in having 3 stigmas and perigynia that are compressed trigonous and densely whitish hispidulous, but differs in having a solitary staminate spike with 1–4 pistillate flowers at the base, achenes oblong-ellipsoid, and styles that are densely crisped-pilose.