XVI International Botanical Congess

With 31 of 75 species Europe is the principal centre of distribution of the genus Luzula DC., which is divided into four subgenera (Luzula, Anthelaea, Pterodes, Marlenia). The chromosomal evolution is peculiar on account of its cytological characters (diffuse centromere, post-reductional meiosis, increase chromosome numbers by fragmentation of chromosome or agmatoploidy). In spite of the wide distribution of the diploid level (2n=12) this is the most primitive chromosome number of the genus and originally of all chromosomal variability by polyploidy (L. campestris-multiflora), by agmatoploidy total or partial, agmato-dysploidy (L. spicata s.l.), by combination of both process, or by chromosomal fusion (L. elegans, 2n=6). The multivariate analysis from the numerical taxonomy study in the groups L. spicata and L. sylvatica shows the morphological differences which justify the taxonomic status for the different European geographic domains, but these are insufficient in order to allow a specific level. The phylogenetic study of the genus based on ITS sequence data suggests, besides, that the subgenus Anthelaea is supposed to be polyphyletic.