J Syst Evol ›› 1981, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (1): 43-56.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A study on Chinese Sparganium

Chen Yao-Dong   

  1.  (Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica)
  • Published:1981-02-18

Abstract: Sparganium is a genus of about 18 species, largely distributed in temperate and cool regions of the northern hemisphere, with a couple of species extending to tropical Asia, Australia and New Zealand. In China, four species have hitherto been reported. To them another six species, including three new ones, are added in the present paper, based on our recent collections. They may be divided into four sections: I. Sect. Sparganium 1. S. stolon ferum (Graebn.) Buch-Ham. 2. S. stenophyllum Maxim. ex Meinsh. 3. S. limosum Y. D. Chen, sp. nov. II. Sect. Natantia Aschers. et Graebn. 4. S. fallax Graebn. 5. S. simplex Huds. 6. S. glomeratum Least ex Beurl. III. Sect. Conferta Y. D. Chen, sect. nov. 7. S. confertum Y. D. Chen, sp. nov. IV. Sect. Minima Aschers, et Graebn. 8. S. yunnanense Y. D. Chen, sp. nov. 9. S. angustifolium Michx. 10. S. minimum Wallr. It is interesting to note that S. confertum is of great phylogenetic importance, because, apart from its habit, it has certain characters, such as spike-like inflorescence, pellucid and membranous scales with lobed margines, stalked ovary and sterile female flowers on pistillate heads, which suggest those in Typha, especially in T. orientalis Presl. Apparently, the discovery of this intensely interesting species, which forms aconnecting link between Sparganium and Typha, makes it unacceptable that they are treated as two separate families.