Date of Award

1977

Degree Name

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Dan K. Evans

Second Advisor

Donald C. Tarter

Third Advisor

Stanley W. Ash

Abstract

Thirteen species of Cyperus are attributed to West Virginia, two of which are new additions to the flora of the state. Cyperus globulosus is added to the flora from one collection in Monongalia County. Cyperus ferruginescens is substituted for C. odoratus on the basis of a morphometric comparison of the two taxa. Polygonal graph analysis of these two closely related species showed culm width, achene length, and spikelet length to be significantly greater in C. odoratus. Further, C. odoratus is a coastal plain species while C. ferruginescens has a more inland distributional pattern. West Virginia material formerly assigned to c. odoratus more properly is equated with C. ferruginescens. Other closely related species subjected to polygonal graph analysis of variability were: C. esculentus and C. erythrorhizos, C.  rivularis and C. flavescens. Mean values and pattern of variability of eight characters, culm height and width, scale length and width, achene length and width, and spikelet length and width, serve to demonstrate the close affinity and also to distinguish between the closely related species.

Subject(s)

Cyperus -- West Virginia.

Plants, Cultivated -- History.

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