Carex, Linnaeus (1753: 972), Linnaeus, 1753

Ridley, Rhonda & Jimenez-Mejias, Pedro, 2022, Incipient insular differentiation of Carex firmula (Cyperaceae, former genus Uncinia) in the Juan Fernández archipelago (Chile), Phytotaxa 533 (5), pp. 267-286 : 281

Identification key

The measurements listed in the key are taken from our own study.

1. Utricles glabrous, with a hooked rachilla protruding from the beak; pistillate scales jointed, the upper part deciduous, the proximal most one remaining on the spike rachis as a saccate stipe appendages.............................................................................................2.

1’. Without the above cited combination of characters ........................................................................................... Other Carex species.

2. Utricle 4.9–5 mm long; female glume length 4.5–5 mm; rachilla (exserted part) 5.9–6.6 mm long; hook 1.9–2.1 mm ......... Carex subsacculata

- Utricle 2.1–4.8 mm long; female glume length 1.8–3.5 mm; rachilla (exserted part) 1.6–4 mm long; hook 0.7–1.8 mm ..............3.

2’. Stem length to base of inflorescence 41–142 mm, leaf length 74.7–120 mm, average flower density per cm in the middle of inflorescence 12, rachilla length 1.6–2.5 mm, hook length 0.7–1.4 mm ............................................ Carex firmula subsp. firmula

- Stem length to base of inflorescence 75–383 mm, leaf length 105–360 mm, average flower density per cm in the middle of inflorescence 7, rachilla length 2.3–4 mm, hook length 0.9–1.8 mm ................................................... Carex firmula subsp. tenuis

3’. Rachilla length 1.6–2.5 mm, hook length 0.7–1.4 mm; average flower density per cm in the middle of inflorescence 12;, leaf length 74.7–120 mm; stem length to base of inflorescence 41–142 mm ............................................ Carex firmula subsp. firmula

- Rachilla length 2.3–4 mm, hook length 0.9–1.8 mm; average flower density per cm in the middle of inflorescence 7; leaf length 105–360 mm; stem length to base of inflorescence 75–383 mm .......................................................... Carex firmula subsp. tenuis