Chromosome numbers of eight Carex taxa in Korea (Cyperaceae)

Abstract

In the flora of Korea, Carex L. is one of the most species-rich genera. Among nearly 157 Carex taxa, less than 30 have had their chromosome numbers reported. We report the meiotic chromosome numbers of eight Carex taxa from Korean populations, which include the first count for C. accrescens Ohwi (n = 37II) and the first chromosome investigations of Korean populations for three taxa: C. bostrychostigma Maxim. (n = 22II), C. lanceolata Boott (n = 36II), and C. paxii Kük. (n = 38II). In most species, chromosome counts observed in the study are included within the variation ranges of previous chromosome numbers. However, C. bostrychostigma Maxim. (n = 22II) and C. planiculmis Kom. (n = 29II) are assigned new chromosome numbers. Carex is known to have holocentric chromosomes, lacking visible primary constrictions and exhibiting great variance in its chromosome number. Further investigations of the diversity of Carex chromosomes will provide basic information with which to understand the high species diversity of the genus.