A new species of Carex (Cyperaceae), Carex modesti, is described from southern Tanzania. It grows
on stream sides and peat bogs at about 2750 m in the Kitulo Plateau. It is morphologically distinct from the similar
species C. vallis-rosetto by its creeping rhizomes, coriaceous leaves and solitary spikes arising in each node.
Carex modesti is included in Carex sect. Spirostachyae subsect. Elatae together with other Carex species from
the tropical African mountain

Escudero Lirio, Marcial

Jiménez Mejías, Pedro

Martín Bravo, Santiago

English

A new species of Carex (Cyperaceae), Carex modesti, is described from southern Tanzania. It grows on stream sides and peat bogs at about 2750 m in the Kitulo Plateau. It is morphologically distinct from the similar species C. vallis-rosetto by its creeping rhizomes, coriaceous leaves and solitary spikes arising in each node.
Carex modesti is included in Carex sect. Spirostachyae subsect. Elatae together with other Carex species from the tropical African mountains

Martín-Bravo, S.

Escudero, M.

Jiménez-Mejías, P.

Naturalis Publications

Carex modesti (Cyperaceae), a new species from southern Tanzania

idUS. Depósito de Investigación Universidad de Sevilla

© 2012   Nationaal Herbarium NederlandYou are free to share - to copy, distribute and transmit the work, under the following conditions:Attribution: You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).Non-commercial: You may not use this work for commercial purposes.No derivative works: You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.For any reuse or distribution, you must make clear to others the license terms of this work, which can be found at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/legalcode. Any of the above conditions can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder. Nothing in this license impairs or restricts the author’s moral rights.Blumea 57, 2012: 143–146www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651912X657576RESEARCH  ARTICLEINTRODUCTIONCarex L. sect. Spirostachyae Drejer ex L.H.Bailey subsect. Elatae (Kük.) Luceño & M.Escudero comprises 27–29 spe-cies with the centre of diversity in tropical continental Africa (Escudero & Luceño 2009). It also occurs in Eurasia, South America, Macaronesia, South Africa and Australia. Within subsect. Elatae, the tropical African group is a monophyletic lineage which includes 10–12 species most diversiﬁed in the Eastern mountainous region, with some taxa spread through West Equatorial Africa, Madagascar and Mascarene Islands (Escudero & Luceño 2011).Kükenthal (1909) performed the ﬁrst comprehensive taxo-nomic treatment of the tropical African group within his global revision of the genus Carex. He considered sect. Elatae Kük. to include 19 species, of which eight belonged to the tropical African group. Later on, Kükenthal (1914, 1925, 1934) and Nelmes (1938), among other authors, published several taxonomic rearrangements in the tropical African group of subsect. Elatae. The taxonomy of the group has also been treated in floristic accounts, such as Flora of West Tropical Africa (Hooper & Napper 1972), The sedges and rushes of East Africa (Haines & Lye 1983) and Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea (Lye 1997).Recent molecular studies have analysed the phylogenetic re-lationships within Carex subsect. Elatae (Escudero et al. 2008, Escudero & Luceño 2009) based on nuclear (ITS) and plastid (5' trnK intron) sequences. Most species of sect. Elatae were embedded within sect. Spirostachyae core. Subsequently, sect. Elatae was considered a subsection of the latter (Escudero & Luceño 2009). On the basis of these results, Escudero & Lu-ceño (2011) have proposed an updated taxonomic treatment of the tropical African group. In this revision, some populations were found in southern Tanzania (Kitulo Plateau; Map 1), whose identiﬁcation was problematic. They had been previ-ously identiﬁed as C. vallis-rosetto K.Schum. (= C. cyrtosaccus C.B.Clarke; cf. Escudero & Luceño 2011). The aim of the present work was to perform a detailed morphological study to evalu-ate the taxonomic status of these atypical southern Tanzanian populations.MATERIAL AND METHODSThirty-one herbarium specimens from 12 different herbaria (B, BM, BR, C, H, HUH, K, MO, NY, PRE, UPS, WAG) were studied, including 16 collections (22 duplicates) of C. vallis-rosetto and three collections (9 duplicates) of the problematic Tanzanian material. Seventy morphological characters were considered in the study, of which 37 were qualitative and 33 quantitative, as part of a wider taxonomic revision of Tropical African Carex sect. Spyrostachyae (Escudero & Luceño 2011). Measurements were made using an ocular micrometer on a Nikon SMZ645 stereoscopic microscope, with the exception of the larger ones (> 10 mm), which were taken using a standard 30 cm rule. Carex modesti (Cyperaceae), a new species from southern TanzaniaS. Martín-Bravo1, M. Escudero1,2, P. Jiménez-Mejías11 Botany Area, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineer-ing, Pablo de Olavide University, ctra. de Utrera km1, 41013, Sevilla, Spain; corresponding author e-mail: smarbra@upo.es.2 The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, 4100 Illinois route 53, Illinois 60532, USA.Key wordsAfrican mountainsCariceaesect. Spirostachyaesubsect. Elataesystematicstaxonomytropical endemicAbstract   A new species of Carex (Cyperaceae), Carex modesti, is described from southern Tanzania. It grows on stream sides and peat bogs at about 2750 m in the Kitulo Plateau. It is morphologically distinct from the similar species C. vallis-rosetto by its creeping rhizomes, coriaceous leaves and solitary spikes arising in each node. Carex modesti is included in Carex sect. Spirostachyae subsect. Elatae together with other Carex species from the tropical African mountains.Published on   19 September 2012Map 1   Distribution of Carex modesti (★).144 Blumea – Volume 57 / 2, 2012Fig. 1   a–h: Analytical drawings of the holotype of Carex modesti. a. plant; b. male spike; c. androgynous spike; d. female spike; e. male glume; f. female glume; g. utricle; h. achene. — i–k: A representative specimen of C. vallis-rosetto. i. Inflorescence; j. branched androginous spike; k. utricle (Malawi, Mt Mulanje, J.D. & E.G. Chapman 8276, MO). — Drawing by Rodrigo Tavera.cbdaghij kef1 cm2 cm2 mm 2 mm2 mm2 mm1 cm1 cm2 mm2 cm1 cm145S. Martín-Bravo et al.: Carex modesti from southern Tanzania C. modesti C. vallis-rosettoRhizomes creeping, with ± long internodes caespitose, with short internodesBasal sheaths brown, reddish brown or purplish red dark purplish redLeaves 5–11 mm wide, rigid, coriaceous 7.5–13.5 mm wide, herbaceousInflorescence 7–13 spikes, heteromorphic to subheteromorphic,  7–22 spikes, homomorphic to heteromorphic, 0–6 upper male 1–3 male spikes, 0–2 androgynous spikes and  spikes and up to17 female or androgynous spikes 3–11 female spikesSpikes always arising solitary, never with short branches  mostly arising in pairs or groups of three, the rest solitary,  at the base of the largest spikes frequently with some short branches at the base of the largest spikesFemale glumes (3.5–)4–6(–8) by 1–2.2 mm, oblong-elliptic, dark (3–)3.5–5.7 by 1–2 mm, oblong-lanceolate, dark reddish brown purplish red, with a narrow, green or straw-coloured  to purplish red, with a green or straw-coloured midrib, mucronate midrib, acuminate, acumen up to 1.2 mm or acuminate, mucro or acumen up to 1.5 mm, rarely obtuseUtricle 3.5–5 by 1.1–1.6 mm, ellipsoid to ellipsoid-obovoid,  4–5.5 by 1.2–1.8 mm, ellipsoid to obovoid, clearly curved,  straight or slightly curved, plurinerved, gradually or  tetra-nerved (sometimes plurinerved), gradually or abruptly narrowed abruptly narrowed into a beak, brown to reddish brown  into a beak, greyish green with purplish red speckles, sometimes with dark purplish red speckles entirely purplish in the upper halfBeak of the utricle 0.8–1.5 mm, biﬁd, with ± similar dorsal and ventral  1–1.8 mm, biﬁd, with ventral sinus deeper than dorsal one, the latter sinus, 0.2–0.5 mm depth, smooth or ± aculeolate 0.2–0.5 mm depth, smooth or with some scattered prickletsTable 1   Diagnostic morphological characters of Carex modesti and C. vallis-rosetto.RESULTSThe material from southern Tanzania (Kitulo Plateau; Map 1, Fig. 1a–h) showed distinct characteristics which did not match the morphology of C. vallis-rosetto (Fig. 1i–k), especially in the following qualitative features: creeping rhizomes, coriaceous leaves and spikes arising solitary in each node (Table 1). The presence of branched spikes, a typical feature of C. vallis-rosetto, was not detected in the Kitulo Plateau plants.DISCUSSIONIn our opinion, the morphological differences detected in the atypical Tanzanian populations support their separation from C. vallis-rosetto. Despite the small amount of material studied, the diagnostic characters found are clear-cut in comparison with the features that distinguish other species in the tropical African group of subsect. Elatae (Kükenthal 1909, Haines & Lye 1983). We therefore describe these populations as a new species:Carex modesti M.Escudero, Martín-Bravo & Jim.Mejías,  sp. nov. — Fig. 1a–h; Map 1A simili Carex vallis-rosetto K.Schum. rhizomatibus elongatis, foliis coriaceis et spicis solitariis differt. — Typus: J. Prins-Lampert 317 (holo WAG 0112511; iso WAG 0112512), Tanzania, Kitulo, along Makengalima river, 25 Nov. 1967. Etymology. This new taxon is dedicated to our PhD supervisor Dr. Modesto Luceño, who performed his PhD on the systematics of the Iberian species of genus Carex at the Royal Botanic Garden of Madrid (Spain). Later on, he continued his research on systematics of Cyperaceae in the Botanic Garden of Geneva (Switzerland) and Pernambuco University (Brazil). At present, he is a Professor at Pablo de Olavide University (Seville, Spain), where he leads a research group focused on the systematics and evolution of tribe Cariceae.Robust rhizomatous, perennial herb. Rhizome creeping, with ± long internodes. Stems 50–90 cm, ± stout, trigonous, smooth, green to yellowish green, with dark purplish red spots. Leaves 15–35 cm by 5–11 mm, plicate, with revolute margins, rigid, coriaceous, slightly scabrid on apical parts; sheaths brown, reddish brown to purplish red; ligule 3–6 mm, subacute; an-teligule concave. Inflorescence 28–49 cm, lowest internode 8.5–21 cm and the second one 6.5–12.5 cm. Lowest bract 13.5–40 cm by 5–8 mm, shorter than the inflorescence, with revolute margins; sheath 5–7.5 cm long, the inner side dark purplish red. Spikes 7–13, heteromorphic to subheteromorphic, 1–3 upper male spikes, 0–2 androgynous spikes and 3–11 lower female spikes; terminal spike 2.5–8.5 cm by 3–12 mm, terete, sessile or with a peduncle up to 1.2 cm; female spikes, 4.5–12 cm by 7–12 mm, dense-flowered, terete, always arising solitary, peduncle up to 5.9 cm. Male glumes 5–7 by 0.9–1.6 mm, oblong-elliptic to oblong-obovate, dark purplish red with a narrow, straw-coloured midrib, mucronate, mucro up to 1 mm. Female glumes (3.5–)4–6(–8) by 1–2.2 mm, oblong-elliptic, dark purplish red, with a narrow and green or straw-coloured midrib, acuminate, acumen up to 1.2 mm. Utricles 3.5–5 by 1.1–1.6 mm, elliptic to elliptic-obovoid, straight or slightly curved, many-nerved, gradually or abruptly narrowed into a beak, brown to reddish brown with dark purplish red speckles; beak 0.8–1.5 mm, biﬁd, with ± similar dorsal and ventral sinus, 0.2–0.5 mm depth, smooth or ± aculeolate. Achenes 2.3–2.5 by 1–1.2 mm, oblong-elliptic to oblong-obovoid. Distribution & Ecology — Southern Tanzania, Kitulo Plateau. Stream sides, peat bogs, 2750 m. Additional specimens studied. Carex modesti (paratypes) – Tanzania, Kyimbila, north of lake Nyasa, 1915, A. Stolz 2284 (BR, C, H, HUH, PRE, UPS); Kitulo Plateau, just left of Igoma-Kitulo road, 1 km beyond Kikondo, streamside, bog, 2750 m, 31 Dec. 1969, RW 530 (K). — Carex vallis-rosetto – Malawi, Southern region, Mt Mulanje, Litchenya Plateau, near C.C.A.P. Hut, 1990 m, 28 Nov. 1986, J.D. Chapman & E.G. Chapman 8276 (MO; Fig. 2i–k, PRE); Williams falls Zomba Plateau, 21 Oct. 1986, A.J. Sa-lubeni 4768 (MO, PRE); N Nkhata Bay, ENE Chikangawa, 1780 m, 13 Oct. 1978, E. Phillips 4081 (WAG); 1962, P.J. Tyrer 746 (BM); Mt. Milanji, 1891, White s.n. (BM). – Tanzania, Same, Kilimanjaro, T3, south Pare Mts, Chome Forest Reserve (Shengena Forest), 1900 m, 18 Nov. 1999, J. Elia 130 (MO, PRE); Iringa, Muﬁnidi, Luisenda, 1830 m, 24 Aug. 1984, D.W. Thomas 3577 (MO, K); Morogoro, Uluguru Mts, Luwkwangulu Plateau, 2400 m, 19 Sep. 1970, M. Thulin & B. Mhoro 1060 (UPS); Tanganyika, Morogoro, Uluguru Mts, Lukguangule Plateau, above Chenzema Mission, 2500 m, 13 Mar. 1953, R.B. Drummond & J.H. Hemsley 1511 (BR, NY); Tanganyika, Tanga, Lushoto, Mkuzi forest reserve, 18 Oct. 1962, S.R. Semsei 3527 (PRE); Tanganyika, Southern Tanganyika, Luwira-Kitega forest, 25 Oct. 1962, S.R. Semsei 2550 (PRE); Tanganyika, T.T., Southern Highlands, Kigogo, Muﬁndi, 1800 m, July 1959, J. Procter 1284 (K, PRE); Tanganyika, Rungwe, Ngozi, Poroto Mts, 2100 m., 17 Oct. 1956, H.M. Richards 6573 (K); Mbeya, Poroto Mts, Ngozi, 1950 m, 17 Oct. 1956, H.M. Richards 6577 (K); Usambara, Rosetto-Thal an Bächen, Sept. 1882, Holst s.n. (B); Usambara, Sept. 1892, Holst 3823 (B).Acknowledgements   The authors wish to thank the curators of B, BM, BR, C, H, HUH, K, MO, NY, PRE, UPS and WAG herbaria for the loan of materials, Dr. M. Laínz, S.J., for the Latin diagnosis, and F.J. Fernández for technical support.146 Blumea – Volume 57 / 2, 2012REFERENCESEscudero M, Luceño M. 2009. Systematics and evolution of Carex sects. Spirostachyae and Elatae (Cyperaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution 279: 163–189.Escudero M, Luceño M. 2011. Taxonomic revision of the tropical African group of Carex sect. Spirostachyae. Anales del Jardín Botánico de Madrid 68: 225–247.Escudero M, Valcárcel V, Vargas P, Luceño M. 2008. Evolution in Carex L. sect. Spirostachyae (Cyperaceae): a molecular and cytogenetic approach. Organisms Diversity and Evolution 7: 271–291.Haines R, Lye KA. 1983. The sedges and rushes of East Africa. East African Natural History Society, Nairobi.Hooper SS, Napper DM. 1972. Cyperaceae. In: Hepper FN (ed), Flora of West Tropical Africa, 2nd ed., 3, 2: 278–349. Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations Millbank, London.Kükenthal G. 1909. Cyperaceae-Caricoideae. In: Engler A (ed), Das Pflan-zenreich 4, 20: 1–824. Engelmann, Leipzig.Kükenthal G. 1914. Carex longipedunculata f. recedens. In: Friedrichs A (ed), Wissenschaftliche ergebnisse der Deutschen Zentral-Africa-Expedition, 1907–1908 unter Führung Adolf Friedrichs, herzogs zu Mecklenburg: 53. Klinkhardt & Biermann, Leipzig.Kükenthal G. 1925. Cyperaceae. In: Fries RE (ed), Wissenschaftliche Ergeb-nisse der Schwedischen Rhodesia-Kongo-Expedition 1911–1912 unter Leitung von Eric Graf von Rosen, Bd I, part 12: 308–312.Kükenthal G. 1934. Cyperaceae. In: Norlindh T, Weimarck H (eds), Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Flora von Süd-Rhodesia, II. Botaniska Notiser (Lund) 1934: 64–83.Lye KA. 1997. Cyperaceae. In: Edwards SS, Demissew S, Hedberg I (eds), Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea 6: 391–511. Uppsala University, Uppsala.Nelmes E. 1938. XXXVI – Notes on Carex: IV. The section Elatae in Tropical Africa. Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Gardens, Kew 1938: 242–248.

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Carex modesti (Cyperaceae), a new species from southern Tanzania

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idUS. Depósito de Investigación Universidad de Sevilla