Notes on the taxonomy and leaf anatomy of Carex elata All., C. omskiana Meinsh. and C. × turfosa Fr

As was shown earlier by the senior author (Jalas 1958), the species called Carex elata All. by Fennoscandian authors consists of two different taxa, C. elata All. s.str., and C. omskiana Meinsh., which differ from each other, above all, ecologically and in their ranges. In order to find supporting c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annales botanici fennici 1964-01, Vol.1 (1), p.47-54
Main Authors: Jalas, Jaakko, Hirvelä, Ulla
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomy
Biological taxonomies
Epidermal cells
Epidermis
Hybridity
Papillae
Plants
Sclerenchyma
Taxa
Vegetation
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Summary:As was shown earlier by the senior author (Jalas 1958), the species called Carex elata All. by Fennoscandian authors consists of two different taxa, C. elata All. s.str., and C. omskiana Meinsh., which differ from each other, above all, ecologically and in their ranges. In order to find supporting characteristics for their proper identification and to unravel their distributional relations the leaf anatomy of 42 mainly Finnish herbarium specimens (in H) was examined and compared with data on external morphology. In the light of the results obtained, C. elata s.str. and C. omskiana Meinsh. are treated as two subspecies under C. elata All., subsp. elata and subsp. omskiana (Meinsh.) Jalas, comb, nov., respectively. Subsp. omskiana differs from subsp. elata, in addition to the shape and colour of the perigynia (p. 51), especially in the thickened outer walls of the upper leaf epidermis and in the lower and more roundish papillae of the leaf epidermis below. It is an East European — Siberian plant as regards distribution and prefers oligotrophic to mesotrophic conditions. The major part of the Finnish C. elata belongs here. Subsp. elata, on the other hand, is a somewhat more southern plant with clearly oceanic tendencies. It prefers mesotrophic to eutrophic habitats. In Finland it is a rare plant of the southernmost parts of the country. In the material examined, in addition, 10 specimens were found which are clearly the hybrid C. elata × nigra All. (C. × turfosa Fr.). The infraspecific taxa of C. elata and C. nigra involved in a particular specimen can hardly be determined with full certainty. The variability, as well as the partial seed fertility of C. × turfosa may be considered as evidence suggestive of the possibility of intercrossing and backcrossing of the primary hybrids. Some gene exchange may occur between the parental species, as well.
ISSN:0003-3847
1797-2442