A new combination in Fimbristylis (Cyperaceae)

Fimbristylis ovata (Burm .ƒ.) Kern, comb. nov. — Carex ovata Burm. ƒ. Fl. Ind. (1768) 194; Kük., Pfl. Reich, Heft 38 (1909) 103. — Cyperus monostachyos L., Mant. 2 (1771) 180. — Abildgaardia monostachya (L.) Vahl, En. Plant. 2 (1806) 296. — Fimbristylis monostachya (L.) Hassk., Pl. Jav. Rar. (1848; 61. — Iriha monostachya (L.) O. Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 2 (1891) 751. Burman’s description of his Carex ovata is very short: ‘Spica terminali ovata feminea. Missa ex Java’. Raymond, Mém. Jard. Bot. Montréal no 23 (1959) 78, suggested that the neglected name might be the correct one for Carex tricephala Boeck. (1875), the only Carex species of the area that would fit Burman’s description. To me this supposition seemed unlikely, as Carex tricephala is a very rare species not known to occur in Java. Merrill, Philip. J. Sc. 19 (1921) 341, already suspected that Burman’s plant does not belong in Carex, but perhaps in Eleocharis or possibly in Fimbristylis.