Carex × saamica T.M.Pedersen & Elven, 2017

Elven, Reidar, Pedersen, A. Tiril M. & Bjorå, Charlotte S., 2017, The nomenclature of two hybrid taxa in Carex sect. Vesicariae (Cyperaceae) currently assigned as Carex rostrata var. borealis and Carex stenolepis, Phytotaxa 324 (1), pp. 63-72 : 69-70

Carex × saamica T.M.Pedersen & Elven , nomen novum

≡ C. ampullacea Goodenough var. borealis Hartman 1820 , Handb. Skand. Fl.: 39. (nom. subs.)

≡ Carex rostrata Stokes var. borealis (Hartman) Kükenthal 1909 , Pflanzenr. IV, 20(38): 723.

Type:— SWEDEN, Jämtland “Jaemtland subalpinis”. Herb. Hartman ( UPS!), lectotype ( Fig. 1 ), designated here (or perhaps holotype).

Etymology—The name “saamica ” is chosen because the main range of this taxon seems to be within the Saami (Sápmi/Lapland) areas of Fennoscandia.

Plants develop long-creeping rhizomes and forms open, extensive swards or clones, often of 1000 m ² or more (Elven, Pedersen & Bjorå, pers. obs.). Withered leaf bases form dense , dark brownish grey sheaths around base of culms. Leaves mainly basal, 1–2 blades arising from sheaths on the culms, erect, as long as or longer than culms, involute, smooth except for being scabrous on margins; abaxial surface green, adaxial surface pale green (but not visible unless the leaf is rolled out), both surfaces without pale spots or papillae. Culms 20–40(50) cm, erect, obtusely trigonous, smooth. Inflorescence (1)2–3 lateral pistillate spikes, the proximal one usually the largest, and 1–2(3) terminal staminate spikes, the distal one the largest. Lowermost bract 10–18 cm, usually overtopping the inflorescence, narrow (1–3 mm), moderately canaliculate; adaxial surface green, abaxial surface pale green, without pale spots or papillae. Distal bracts much shorter and narrower than the lowermost one. Pistillate spikes 20–35 × 7–9 mm, cylindrical or oblong, erect (even when long-pedunculate); proximal spike on peduncle 10–30 mm, more distal spikes on much shorter peduncles or subsessile. Pistillate scales lanceolate or ovate, 3.5–5.0 × 1.2–1.8 mm, acute or obtuse, shorter and narrower than utricles, reddish brown with a pale brown or green midvein, darker brown towards the margins but with a narrow hyaline border and tip. Staminate spikes very narrow, the distal one 25–35 × 1.8–2.3 mm. Staminate scales ovate, 3.0–4.5 × 1.5–1.8 mm, obtuse, brown with a pale brown or green midvein, with a broad hyaline margin and tip. Stigmas 3. Utricles 4.0–5.5 × 2.0–3.0 mm, smooth, shiny, yellowish green during anthesis and turning pale brown during maturation, with indistinct veins, narrowing gradually into a short beak 0.3–0.5 mm, distinctly bidentate. Utricles well-formed but usually (but not always) with undeveloped achenes. Stamens exerted and well developed; pollen variable, but usually looks well formed.

Carex stenolepis Lessing, Reise durch Norwegen nach den Loffoden durch Lappland und Schweden: 301. 1831. Type:— NORWAY, Nord-Trøndelag, Meråker: “Størdalen: Skurdalsporten, Carex vesicaria –alpigena.” [1824], M. N. Blytt ( O!), left side plant, Lectotype (designated here; Fig. 2 ). The name is concluded to be a synonym of C. rostrata Stokes.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Lectotype of Carex rostrata var. borealis (Hartman) Kükenthal, from Sweden: Jämtland. From Uppsala Herbarium (UPS). Here referred to C. ×saamica T.M.Pedersen & Elven nom. nov. (= C. rostrata Stokes × C. rotundata Wahlenb.).A, habit; B, pistillate spike. © Museum of Evolution, Uppsala University (UPS).

FIGURE 2. Lectoype of Carex stenolepis Lessing, designated here, from Norway: Nord-Trøndelag, Meråker. From Oslo Herbarium (O). The plants belong to a short grown form of C. rostrata. A, habit; B, pistillate spike; C, utricle.