Carex via-aquae Jim. Mejias, Lois, Acedo & Reznicek. Detail 2023, sp. nov.

Carex via-aquae Jim.Mejías, Lois, Acedo & Reznicek, sp. nov. (Figs. 9–11) = Carex lehmanniana var. simplex Kük. in H.G.A. Engler (ed.), Pflanzenr., 38 Heft, IV (20): 405 (1909). Lectotype (here designated): COSTA RICA, Province of Alajuela, Volcán Poás, 31 August 1890, Pittier 2981 (BR-849880 photo!) Fig. 12. Diagnosis: —This new species is similar to Carex lehmanniana Boott (1845: 256), in which it was included as a variety to date. Carex viaaquae differs from C. lehmanniana by stem length, 15–30 cm long in C. via-aquae vs. 45–110 cm long in C. lehmanniana, number of spikes of the inflorescence, 5–12 in C. via-aquae vs 20–45 in C. lehmanniana, inflorescence length, 4–10 cm long in C. via-aquae vs 17–25 cm long in C. lehmanniana, female glume size, 3.0–4.1 × 0.7–1.1 mm in C. via-aquae vs. 4.6–5.5 × 1.1–1.3 mm in C. lehmanniana, and utricle size, 2.1–2.5 × 0.9–1.2 mm in C. via-aquae vs. 2.6–3.4 × 0.9–1.3 mm in C. lehmanniana. Type:— COSTA RICA: Province of San José, northern slopes of Cerro Buena Vista to south of Interamerican Highway crossing, Cerro de la Muerte, 9°34’N 83°45’W, paramo vegetation, 3250–3450 m, 12 July 1994, W.J. Kress & N.W. Sawyer 94-4963 (Holotype: US 3318982!). Rhizome short, glabrous. Stems 15–30 cm tall, 0.1–0.2 mm wide at the middle, smooth, trigonous, sides concave below the inflorescence, brownish at the base. Leaves with well-developed blades, the largest ones 26–53 cm × 2.0– 5.8 mm, shorter than the stems, linear, subcoriaceous, brownish at the base, W-folded, margin slightly revolute. Inflorescence racemose, dense, 4–10 cm long, with 5–12 androgynous spikes, spreading or dropping; lowermost bract 13.6–20.6 cm × 3.1–3.7 mm, subequal to the inflorescence, linear, subcoriaceous, W-folded, sheathless or with a short sheath