PHYLOGENY OF CAREX IN THE LIGHT OF PARASITISM BY THE SMUT FUNGI

Abstract

By using evidence derived from the relationships with smut fungi (Cintractia and Planetella) that attack its members, new light has been shed on the phylogeny of Carex. The genus is believed to be essentially monophyletic and derived from Kobresia. It has been found necessary to erect a new subgenus, Kuekenthalia, composed principally of those sections with persistent styles and bladdery perigynia that were formerly placed in Eucarex. Uncinia is shown to be an offshoot of the evolutionary line that gave rise to Kuekenthalia.