A taxonomic and morphological study of cyperaceae

This study aimed to investigate the taxonomic characteristics based on micromorphology and macromorphology of Cyperaceae species and to build the taxonomic key based on these characteristics. The research method involved the use of light and electron microscopy. Sampling was carried out in four areas of Tanjong Malim, Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar and Gerik covering different ecology of open areas, wetlands and limestone. The findings showed that four out of the thirteen studied species; Cyperus compactus, C. compressus, C. iria, and C. kyllingia are common species found in all studied areas. Cyperus sphacelatus is limited to Gunung Lang, Ipoh while C. pulcherrimus often found in Pulau Banding, Gerik. This study showed the diagnostic characteristics of flower and spikelet is in agreement with the classification of Koyama, Eiten, Dahlgren, Tucker, Bruhl and Goetghebeur. Its diagnostic macromorphological characters have successfully been applied for developing the taxonomic key of Cyperaceae. The findings also revealed the micromorphological characters of exine and cuticular ornamentation of spikelet can be used as supportive diagnostic evidence in identification of the species. Multivariate and phylogenetic analyses using 30 of both macromorphological and micromorphological characters showed that there is a close evolutionary relationship between species of Cyperus, Bulbostylis and Fimbristylis. The phylogenetic tree demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship with high bootstrap values for C. compressus and C. sphacelatus, moderate for C. kyllingia and C. rotundus, while the rest are weak. As a conclusion, this study has successfully manipulated both macromorphological and micromorphological characters in identification of Cyperaceae and a taxonomic key based on macromorphology has successfully constructed. This key can benefit the researchers to systematically identify the species of Cyperaceae especially in Malaysia.