Cypringlea, a new genus of Cyperaceae from Mexico

Studies of the floral morphology of the Mexican endemics Scirpus analecta Beetle and Scirpus coahuilensis Svenson, including embryo morphology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of the achenes, achene pericarp, and perianth bristles, indicate that like Scirpus L.,they are members of the tribe Scirpeae Knuth ex Dumortier. However, they were found to possess a Carex-type embryo that is characteristic of Trichophorum Persoon. Because of differences in habitat, leaf blade development and morphology, inflorescence morphology, and the possession of rudimentary perianth bristles, they are shown to be better circumscribed in a genus of their own, Cypringlea M. T Strong. Cypringlea is described, and the combinations C. analecta (Beetle) M. I Strong and C. coahuilensis (Svenson) M. I Strong are validated. Drawings of the embryos, SEM images of the achenes, achene pericarp, and perianth bristles, and photographic images of herbarium type specimens of the plants are provided, and the relationships of Cypringlea to Scirpus and Trichophorum are discussed.