莎草科是單子葉植物中一個大科(Hutchinson 1934),分佈遍及全世界;在台灣,更是顯花植物中五大科之一(Hsu 1971)。種之間變異極大;種群(Taxa)的把握及其親緣關係的瞭解,仍極待進一步研究。今先就花部構造詳細觀察比較;以為系統分類之基礎。
With a large number of species and the high complexity and diversity in the floral parts, the family Cyperaceae affords us exceptionally wide taxonomic interests. This article has been prepared with the intention to discuss the morphology of the floral parts of Formosan sedges. 1. In the classification of the family Cyperaceae, the delimitation of supra-generic groupa is based entirely on the structure of the spikelets. 2. The prophylls are most important characters in treating the basic type of spikelets. 3. The perianth segments, plate-like, needle-like scabrous bristles are found in Scirpus, Eleocharis and Fuirena of Scirpoideae and Rhynchospora of Rhynchosporoideae. 4. The texture, color, outline of cross section and marking etc. are important characters in delimitation of the genera and indispensable features in identification of this family.