Four new sectional names in Carex L. (Cyperaceae)

Summary Based on available molecular phylogenetic data, we describe four new Carex sections to accommodate 15 species from Asia, Europe and North America. All the sections form strongly supported monophyletic groups in the most recent phylogenetic hypotheses for the genus and are diagnosable by morphological characters, therefore distinct from closely related clades. At the present date, the internationally accepted framework for the infrageneric classification of Carex combines formal names with informal groups. With the coining of these four new sectional names for four already recognised informal groups without available names, we contribute towards the progressive stabilisation of the infrageneric classification of Carex .