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Chusquea and Swallenochloa (Poaceae: Bambusoideae): Generic relationships and new species

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Abstract

One new species of Chusquea and three of Swallenochloa are described. Morphological characters, especially of the culm leaves and branching, are pointed out as useful in distinguishing the two genera. A key to the 7 recognized species of Swallenochloa is given, and a discussion of its habitat, the páramo. Comment is made upon the recent evolution of the páramo habitat and therefore of the bamboo adapted to it, and reasons offered for the apparent active speciation which characterizes this bamboo genus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smithsonian Institution, 20560, Washington, D.C.

    Thomas R. Soderstrom & Cleofé E. Calderón

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  1. Thomas R. Soderstrom
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  2. Cleofé E. Calderón
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Soderstrom, T.R., Calderón, C.E. Chusquea and Swallenochloa (Poaceae: Bambusoideae): Generic relationships and new species. Brittonia 30, 297–312 (1978). https://doi.org/10.2307/2806264

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