Biosystematic Study of Cyperaceae Species: Cyperus niveus Retz. and Fuirena pubescens (Poir.) Kunth.

Abstract

Cyperaceae is the one of the prime family of flowering plants having almost 5500 species in more than 100 genera globally. Trigonous stem is the main distinguish character of this family which differentiate sedges from grasses and rushes. Sedges have countless ecological and economical importance as these are used to craft hats, mats, baskets, fibers, packing material and brooms. Some sedges also provide nesting, food and shelter to numerous animals, birds and insects. Family is also contributes in ethnobotany as a lot of species are utilized for the treatment of plentiful disorders as a local remedies. Sedges have microscopic flowers and complicated inflorescence which make them difficult to study taxonomically. In this research work, Cyperus niveus and Fuirena pubescens were studied and morphological observation by stereo and light microscope revealed that the inflorescence, glume shape and color, nut and number of stamens and stigmas are good taxonomical characters. For molecular study of these species, DNA was extracted from leaves by using CTAB method and four marker region (ETS, ITS, matK and rbcL) were amplified and sequenced. Neighbor Joining (NJ) method was exercised to draw trees for each marker region. The amplification of ITS for Cyperus niveus was failed while the remaining markers were successfully amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of each region by NJ was illustrated the close relationship of Cyperus niveus with Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus longus and Cyperus esculentus. The study was concluded that the morphological and molecular identifications of Cyperus niveus (Retz.) and Fuirena pubescens (Poir.) Kunth are confirmed and literature gaps for these species are filled.