Fróðskaparrit - 01.01.2004, Qupperneq 217

TVEY NÝGGJ SLØG AV STØR í FØROYUM
215
The taxonomic classification as species
or subspecies and the nomenclature of the
taxa of the Carexflava group, in particular
of Carex demissa and Carex viridula are
still contentious and will not be discussed in
this short note (vgl. Crins, 2002; Egorova,
1999; Hedren, 1998; Kiffe, 1998; Schmid,
1980; 1983).
This publication is based on the current
Scandinavian point of view (cf. Karlsson,
1998).
As a second new species for the Faroes,
Carex glareosa could be discovered at a lo-
cation on Suðuroy. The distribution of this
species is circumpolar at the coasts of the
boreal and arctic zone (Love, 1983).
Locations and Habitats
Carex viridula is a common plant of moist
to wet habitats, it is frequently l'ound on
the moorlands covering the lower slopes of
most Faeroese mountains.
Carex viridula was found at several
places on all islands visited by the author
in 2003: Suðuroy, Sandoy, Vágar, Streym-
oy, Eysturoy, Borðoy, Kunoy and Viðoy.
Furthermore vouchers of Carex viridula
could be found in Copenhagen (C) from
Fugloy and Kalsoy (No. 7268, loc. 134,
Klubbin, Fugloy, 21.07.1961, leg. Kjeld
Hansen; No. 7529, loc. 135, Eystfelli, Fugl-
oy, 21.07.1961, leg. Kjeld Hansen; No.
7980, loc. 114, Húsar, Kalsoy, 02.08.1961,
leg. Kjeld Hansen (all vouchers as Carex
demissa Hornem., det. Kjeld Hansen, vgl.
Hansen, 1966).
In July 2003 Carex glareosa was found on
Suðuroy near Norðbergseiði, northwest of
Hvalba along the edge of the coastal cliffs
which are not grazed by sheep. In this area
more than 1000 tufts are growing along a
500 m distance. The vegetation in this stony
area is dominated by Festuca rubra, Plan-
tago maritima and Armeria maritima.
Characteristics of the Species
Carex viridula belongs to the subgenus
Carex. The species is a member of the
Carex flava group. The flowering stems
are 2.5-15 cm tall, erect or ascending.
The leaves are ± as long as stems,
(l-)1.5-3.0(-4) mm wide, yellowish-green
or green, flat. The female spikes are 5-
8x3-6 mm, crowded, the lowest sometimes
remote. The utricles are (2-)2.5-3.0(-3.5)
mm, greenish or yellow-green, obovid to
ellipsoid, abruptly or gradually contracted
into a 0.5-1.0 mm long beak.
Carex viridula looks like a small Carex
demissa. Small, stunted plants of Carex
demissa can be confused with C. viridula.
The best differences are the smaller, crowd-
ed utricles.With regard to large specimen of
Carex viridula and small specimen of Carex
demissa, it is very difficult to classify them
clearly.
Carex glareosa belongs to the subgenus
Vignea. The plants are laxly or densely caes-
pitose, without or with short, creeping rhi-
zomes. The flowering stems are 10-25 cm
tall, erect or ascending first, later curved,
and llattened to the ground at maturity. The
leaves are shorter or ± as long as the flow-
ering stems, ± grey-green, often channeled
or rarely ílat, 0.5-2 mm wide. The inflo-