Abstract

The micromorphological features of the abaxial epidermis of the lemma of Chilean species of Polypogon Desf. (incl. Chaetotropis Kunth), Agrostis L and the hybrid ×Agropogon P. Fourn. (Poaceae, Pooideae, Agrostidinae) were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The objective was to bring new characters to clarify the systematic position of some species in these genera. Twenty-four taxa belonging to Polypogon (9 spp.) Agrostis (14 spp.) ×Agropogon (1 sp.) were studied. Eleven characters (seven micromorphological, four macromorphological) were analyzed by cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis. The results allowed us to recognize two groups of species within Polypogon, which correspond to sections recognized by Müller in 1985. Polypogon and Polypogonagrostis Asch. & Graebn. The latter comprises the species treated by other authors under the genus Chactotropis.