The Palynological Study of Carex L. with emphasis on Systematics in Iran

The Carex L. includes 62 species of 4 subgenus belonging to 30 sections in Iran. This genus has numerous complex taxonomic groups that make it necessary to evaluate the diagnostic and differential traits. The reproductive characters especially inflorescent showing the high value to taxonomic delimitation in Cyperaceae as well Carex. This study examined 48 taxa of Carex on the basis of herbarium accessions of Iran and Shahid Beheshti University herbariums that was performed using cluster analysis as well PCA methods by PAST ver. 2.17 software. Cluster analysis did not support the classifications of Flora of Iran and Flora Iranica. However, as subsidiary evidence accompanied with other systematic traits can be effective in delimitation of taxa. Besides, due to closure of the apertures that known as harmomegathy, pollen grains has been deformed. Moreover, the pollens are classified in the small to medium class. Also, some characters such as sculpturing the sexine as well the number of apertures show some evolutionary tendencies in the genus.