The objective of this study was to realize a typology approach toward the inflorescences in
Scleria in order to provide characters that would have potential use in further taxonomic and phylogenetic research and that would
allow identification of the tendencies and processes that could have yielded the variations within
Scleria inflorescences
. The majority of species studied present a main florescence;
Scleria reticularis and
S. melanomphala have truncated inflorescences. The variations are related to the grade of development reached by the main florescence and
the different parts of the paracladial zone. Major inflorescence variability was found in section
Scleria. A change in spikelet sexuality can occur toward the distal parts. There were variations in the distinct species with respect
to the hierarchy of the paracladia where the change occurs. Future investigations should center on the ontogenetic aspects
of inflorescence development of
Scleria, integrating these results, together with those of adult inflorescences, into taxonomic and phylogenetic investigations.
Keywords Inflorescence -
Scleria
- Sclerieae - Cyperaceae