The genusCarex (Cyperaceae) in the Flora Iranica area

88 species and 20 subspecies ofCarex, altogether 94 taxa, occur in the area ofRechinger's Flora Iranica. Of these, 48 taxa, have an Euro-Siberian, 11 an Irano-Turanian and 35 a Central Asiatic distribution, the last including five species with connections to E. and tropical SE. Asia. The Saharo-Sindian element is missing. Endemic taxa are found in all groups. Eight taxa, endemic to the NW. Himalayas occur in the E. part of the area. The Euro-Siberian taxa are concentrated in the NW. of the area, but have connections to the east; similarly, Central-Asiatic taxa are concentrated in E. Afghanistan and N. Pakistan, but have connections to the west. Some Euro-Siberian taxa are widely distributed in the area, but avoid the most arid regions. The Irano-Turanian taxa are few and extend from Egypt through the area of Flora Iranica to Kazakhstan SSR and Central China.Dedicated to Hofrat Univ.-Prof. DrK. H. Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday.