• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.361-367
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• 2020

We report meiotic chromosome numbers of three taxa in Carex sect. Mitratae in Korea: Carex breviculmis R. Br. (n = 32_II, 33_II, 34_II), C. polyschoena H. Lév. & Vaniot (n = 37_II, 38_II), and C. sabynensis Less. ex Kunth (n = 27_II). Section Mitratae is one of the most species-rich Asian groups in Carex, comprising approximately 45-80 taxa. Twenty-seven of these occur in Korea, and they are some of the most challenging taxa to identify due to their obscure and inconspicuous diagnostic characters. Including the counts reported here, half of the native Korean sect. Mitratae chromosome numbers have been documented. Their haploid chromosome numbers range from n = 10 to n = 40, and many exhibit variations in the numbers counted within a taxon. These variations, along with the overall significant variation in sect. Mitratae, suggest that dynamic chromosome activity may be related to the high species diversity of Carex.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.246-250
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• 2022

We report a new distribution of Carex foraminata C. B. Clarke on the Korean Peninsula. This species was first reported in China and is distributed in Jiangxi and Zhejiang Provinces. We found this species on Hongdo Island in Heuksan-myeon, Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do in Korea. Carex foraminata is similar to the related taxa C. brevispicula G. H. Nam & G. Y. Chung, C. chungii Z. P. Wang, and C. genkaiensis Ohwi in that its achenes are constricted in the middle part. However, C. foraminata is distinguished from C. brevispicula and C. chungii by its pistillate scale apexes, which are acute or shortly awned and by its achene apexes, which are shortly cylindrical; C. foraminata is distinguished from C. genkaiensis by its pistillate scale and achene shape. A precise description, illustration, photographs, and a key to related taxa are provided.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 2020

A new species, Carex brevispicula G. H. Nam & G. Y. Chung (Cyperaceae), was found in Korea. Carex brevispicula is similar to the related species C. chungii Z. P. Wang and C. genkaiensis Ohwi in that its achenes are constricted in the middle part. However, C. brevispicula is distinguished from C. chungii as the plants, staminate, and pistillate spikes are shorter and its pistillate scales are pale green; C. brevispicula is distinguished from C. genkaiensis by its awned staminate and pistillate scales. The scientific name of this new species was based on the fact that its inflorescence is shorter than that of C. chungii. The corresponding Korean name, "Jom-mok-po-sa-cho," means that the plants of this species are smaller than the "Mok-po-sa-cho" types (C. genkaiensis). We hereby provide a description of C. brevispicula, with corresponding illustrations and photographs, a distribution map, and a key of related taxa.