Nomenclature and typification of sectional names in Carex (Cyperaceae)

Abstract

This paper presents an updated survey of all the published names at the section rank in Carex and its formerly accepted satellite genera. We included related names at other ranks when relevant. We address validity, legitimacy, priority, typification, and – if relevant – synonymy. The cosmopolitan distribution and huge diversity of Carex, one of the five largest non-apomictic genera of flowering plants, has led to the accumulation of more than 400 names at sectional rank. We carefully reviewed a total of 593 names, 33 at the rank of genus, 2 at the rank of subgenus, 407 at the rank of section, 32 at the rank of subsection, 2 at the rank of series, and 117 unranked, published over 250 years of taxonomic history (1753–2025), by nearly 100 botanists. Of these, 243 must be accepted at the section rank and are competent to apply, 47 are illegitimate, 29 are superfluous but not illegitimate, and 50 non-superfluous and non-illegitimate names have been synonymized with prior names by typification. We designate types for 54 names. Four new names (Carex sect. Bracteosellae, C. sect. Longirostrellae, C. sect. Stylosellae, and C. sect. Triquetrellae) are created to accommodate the nomenclature of accepted groups.