About the Book: The sedge family (Cyperaceae) ranks among the ten largest families of flowering plants and is the third largest among monocotyledons. The tribe Fimbristylideae includes the genera Eleocharis (302 spp.), Fimbristylis (320 spp.) and Bulbostylis (227 spp.), together comprising about 849 species worldwide, of which 166 taxa are reported from India. During the present study, 86 taxa were documented from Tamil Nadu. The tribe is morphologically complex and widely distributed across plains, coastal areas, wetlands, and high-altitude regions.
No detailed study has previously been conducted on nutlet morphology and micromorphology in this group. The present work provides a comprehensive account of the tribe with updated information, detailed descriptions, lucid identification keys, and highlights unique nutlet features, surface texture, shape, size, and colour, that are critical for delimiting taxa. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Nikon SMZ1500 stereomicroscopy were employed to generate high-resolution images of nutlets, spikelets, glumes, styles, and stigmas, facilitating accurate differentiation and identification.
The study also assesses around 21 endemic species from Tamil Nadu. Taxonomic confusion and misidentification of closely allied species in herbaria have been resolved through clear systematic evidence.
Overall, this book serves as an illustrative guide to sedges, providing quick identification tools and encouraging further research in Cyperaceae by scientists, researchers, and students.