Algae. 1997; 12(3): 177-206.

Taxonomic Study on the Charophytes in Korea I. Chara and Lamprothamnium

Kwang-Chul Choi, Young-Hwan Kim

Department of Biology, Chungbuk National University

The taxa of the Characeae (Charophyta) in Korea were investigated in order to re-evaluate the characteristics of the species and to clarify their taxonomic validity. The materials were collected from July 1993 to August 1996 in all regions of Korea including Cheju Island. The herbarium specimens of Prof. D. Choe who studied Korean Characeae in 1960's were also examined for this study. As a result, five species, two subspecies and three varieties of the genus Chara (C. braunii, C. corallina var. kyusyensis, C. fibrosa ssp. benthamii, C. sejuncta, C. vulgaris, C. zeylanica) and two species of the genus Lamprothamnium (L. papulosum, L. succinctum) were recognized. Among them Chara globularis var. virgata, C. zeylanica, Lamprothamnium papulosum and L. succinctum are recorded for the first time in Korea during this study. A key to the Korean taxa of charophytes is provided. The main habitats and the phenological characteristics of the Korean charophytes are described.

Keywords : Chara, Charophytes, Korea, Lamprothamnium