The occurrence of C₄ species in the genus Rhynchospora and its significance in kranz anatomy of the cyperaceae

Rhynchospora rubra was found to have a low CO₂ compensation point, high δ¹³C value, Kranz leaf anatomy, starch present in the bundle sheath cells and narrow interveinal distance. These observations suggest that R. rubra is a C₄ plant. A further anatomical survey revealed seven other Rhynchospora species presumably having the C₄ photosynthetic pathway. In the family Cypraceae C₄ plants therefore occur in the tribe Rhynchosporeae as well as in the Scirpeae and Cypereae. The C₄ species of Rhynchospora have a normal Kranz type of leaf anatomy, although the C₄ species of Cyperus and Fimbristylis presently known have an abnormal one in which the mestome sheath without chloroplasts is interposed between the Kranz tissue and the rest of the chlorenchyma. Thus in Rhynchospora the Kranz tissue is in direct contact with the rest of the chlorenchyma, and it is suggested that the Kranz tissue may be homologous with the mestome sheath.