New sedge species discovered in Du'an Yao autonomous county

Recently, during a comprehensive scientific investigation for the establishment of the Southwest Karst National Park in Du'an Yao autonomous county, a technical team discovered a new species of the sedge family, carex duanensis Z.C.Lu, Y.F.Lu & X.F.Jin.

While conducting a plant-specific survey within the Dusui Underground River National Geopark in Du'an, the team encountered a sedge plant in its fruiting stage. Confirming this as a previously undescribed species, researchers named it carex duanensis after its place of discovery. This research achievement was officially published on May 2, 2024, in the international botanical taxonomy journal PhytoKeys.

Through anatomical observations and specimen comparisons, it was found that carex duanensis has erect stems, leaves measuring 3–5.5 millimeters wide, bracts longer than the spikes, and short perigynia measuring four to five millimeters in length. The achenes have a distinctly elongated beak at the apex, distinguishing it morphologically from other species in the carex genus.

Carex duanensis is primarily found in the fissures of rocky mountains within the Dusui Underground River National Geopark and the Dahua Qibainong National Geopark. With a limited population size, it is an endemic species in the karst regions of Guangxi.

The discovery of carex duanensis has increased the number of endemic species of the carex genus in Guangxi from nine to 10, enriching the plant diversity of the region and providing new data for the geographical research of Guangxi's plant flora. Additionally, the growth of carex duanensis in fragile karst habitats holds importance for the study of karst desertification control, ecological conservation, and restoration efforts.

A view of carex duanensis. [Photo/Hechi Daily]