Distribution of Carex pallidula (Cyperaceae) in Europe

Abstract

Carex pallidula is a European species which is often overlooked because it is similar in appearance to C. digitata. So far, this species has been recorded from ten European countries. During herbarium studies in 2014 and 2015, the occurrence of C. pallidula was confirmed for another six European countries (Albania, Austria, Greece, Romania, Serbia, and Switzerland), providing a new insight into its distribution. A list of new localities of C. pallidula and a distribution map for Europe are provided. A key for determining some taxa within the section Clandestinae is presented. Finnish material of the supposed hybrid of C. digitata and C. pallidula is considered to be young specimens of C. digitata.

Three new Carex nothospecies (Cyperaceae) discovered in the Czech Republic

“…I also consider the proportion of male flowers at the top of the female spikes in the hybrid to be a unique feature caused by hybridisation. Koopman (2015) lists the following distribution of C. ×helenae in Europe: Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and UK. Its detailed distribution in the Netherlands is presented by Koopman et al (2022a).…”

“…interspecific sedge hybrids are relatively abundant in nature, although their frequency is very likely overestimated (Cayouette and Cattling, 1992;Řepka and Taraška, 2023). According to Koopman (2022), 225 sedge species are known in Europe and another 295 taxa have been described as hybrids. An interesting fact is that crossbreeds are very common in particular sections [mainly Phacocystis Dumortier, but also Ceratocystis Dumortier, Spirostachyae (Drejer) L. H. Bailey and Vesicariae (Heuffel) J. Carey)], while they have been found rarely or are completely absent in other sections.…”

Chromosome numbers of Carex (Cyperaceae) and their taxonomic implications

“…The section Clandestinae is a large and inhomogeneous group which is divided into numerous subsections [19]. Some taxa resemble one another morphologically and have similar distribution, e.g., C. digitata L. and C. pallidula, which renders their identification difficult [51]. Perhaps the chromosome numbers will prove useful in the identification of those species.…”