Bulbostylis Kunth (subfamily Cyperoideae) comprises approximately 150 species with centers of distribution in South America and Africa. The anatomy of the scapes was studied in 40 species of Bulbostylis. The characters found to be of taxonomic value in the key species are: the shape of the scape in transverse section, the presence of ribs and furrows, the aspect of the epidermal cells and stomata, the shape of the cortical sclerenchymatous strands, the number of vascular unit, a fistulose medulla, and the occurrence of radiate parenchyma. These characters were found to be diagnostically useful at the specific level. We also show that the scape should be considered a monostele. The atactostele appears in the rhizome.
atactostele; Kranz anatomy; monostele; vascular unit
