T. Hohn — Studies in the Cyperacece. 17 



Art. hi. — Studies in the Cyperacem ; by Theo. Holm. 

 XIX. The genus Carex in Colorado. (With figures in the 

 text, drawn by the author.) 



Haying given an account of some critical species of Carex 

 from this State in previously published papers, we now present 

 a more general sketch of the genus, as represented in the 

 Kocky Mountains of Colorado, including a synopsis of the 

 species, some notes on those which are new or little known 

 together with their geographical distribution. We have not, 

 however, succeeded in getting together all the vast material 

 that exists from this State, collected by various explorers dur- 

 ing nearly half a century, but we have brought together as 

 much as possible, including our own collections made during 

 two summer excursions in these mountains, which may, per- 

 haps, give an adequate idea of the representation of the genus 

 in Colorado. 



In cases where species have been described only prelimi- 

 narily and rather incompletely we have insei'ted a diagnosis ; 

 besides that certain corrections have been made in regard to 

 the structure of the flower, rhizome, etc. 



The flora of Colorado is comparatively little known, and it 

 is really surprising to see from the map how many and wide 

 areas are still unexj^lored. Xevertheless many and large col- 

 lections have been gathered from these mountains, and the 

 results published in the shape of "lists" in various publica- 

 tions. We have thought, therefore, that any contribution to 

 the knowledge of this most interesting flora might be of some 

 use for future studies ; besides that the notes upon the geo- 

 graphical distribution might be of interest from this point of 

 view, demonstrating the existence of arctic and even circum- 

 polar species on the higher peaks of these mountains. And 

 the genus Carex^ when comjDaied with the other large genera 

 which we have studied in Colorado, gives really an excellent 

 idea of the character of the vegetation in these regions with 

 representatives of northern and southern types, boreal and 

 alpine, endemic and such as are common to the mountains of 

 both worlds. We should not, however, have been in the posi- 

 tion to offer such data in regard to the distribution or in 

 regard to the habit of many species, if it were not for the 

 exquisite collections presented to the writer through the kind- 

 ness of Mr. James M. Macoun of Ottawa. Xo species can 

 be properly understood unless studied from several stations, 

 and as remote as possible. The Canadian Carices exhibit 

 many characteristics, which are less pronounced in their 

 southern representatives or, at least, their homologues, a fact 



Am. Jotjr. Scl— Fourth Series, Yol. XYI, No. 91.— July, 1903. 

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