Notes on the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae): morphological variation within the section Bracteosae

Abstract

Generic limits of Ficinia are reviewed. Morphological variation within the section Bracteosae Pfeiff. of Ficinia Schrad. (Cyperaceae) is examined and discussed. Diagnostic characters previously in use in classification are reviewed together with a number of new characters. These have enabled the limits of many existing taxa to be refined, and have provided the basis for the establishment of a number of new taxa recently described. Characters examined include: underground organs, leaf sheaths and ligules, leaf blades, inflorescence structure, prophylls, styles, anthers, achenes, gynophores and inflorescence axes.