Diversity and Taxonomy of Cyperus (Cyperaceae) in the Central-West Region of Brazil

Abstract

A taxonomic study of Cyperus L. (Cyperaceae) in the Central-West region of Brazil is presented. We examined more than 1300 herbarium specimens. Many of the species were also studied in the field. Our results recognize 59 species of Cyperus in the Central-West of Brazil, including three species endemic to the country that are potentially threatened with extinction, i.e., C. hooperae G. C. Tucker, C. longiculmis Pereira-Silva, Hefler & R. Trevis., and C. tuckerianus Pereira-Silva, Hefler & R. Trevis. Cyperus oxylepis Nees ex Steud. is reported from Brazil for the first time. Cyperus incomtus Kunth var. miguelii Kük. is proposed as a synonym of C. pearcei C. B. Clarke. We designate lectotypes for 20 names, a neotype for C. oxylepis, and an epitype for C. surinamensis Rottb. and select second-step lectotypes for 10 names. We also provide detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, distribution data, an identification key for all species, and assessments of the conservation status for most species.