Distinction between the sedges Carex vulpina L. and C. otrubae Podp. and the potential for identification of hybrids

Carex vulpina and C. otrubae are difficult species to distinguish using floral characters. As an alternative, SEM of the nutlet surface, stomatal morphology and isozymes have been used as taxonomic tools to distinguish between the two taxa. The three methods show differentiation along species lines and are suitable to identify hybridisation. Stomatal morphology and isozymes reveal evidence of possible introgression between the two species.