80 



TYPHACEAE 



1. Typha latifolia L. 



Broad-leaved Cat-tail. Fig. 165. 



Typha latifolia L. Sp. PL 971. 1753. 



Stems stout, 1.5-3 m. tall. Leaves 6-25 mm. broad; 

 spikes dark brown, the staminate and pistillate portions 

 usually contiguous, each 1-3 dm. long and often 25 mm. 

 or more in diameter, the pistillate without bractlets ; 

 stigmas rhomboid or spatulate ; pollen-grains in 4's ; 

 pedicels of the mature pistillate flowers 2-3 mm. long. 



In marshes, throughout North America, except the extreme 

 north. Also in Europe and Asia. This is the most common 

 species nearly throughout the Pacific states. Type locality: in 

 Europe. 



2. Typha angustifolia L. 

 Narrow-leaved Cat-tail. Fig. 166. 



Typha angustifolia L. Sp. PI. 971. 1753. 



Typha bractesta Greene, Bull. Calif. Acad. 2: 413. 1S87. 



Stems slender, 1-3 m. tall. Leaves mostly narrower 

 than those of the preceding species, 4-10 mm., or rarely 

 more, wide ; spikes light brown, the staminate and 

 pistillate portions usually distant, each 1-2 dm. long, the 

 pistillate at maturity 5-20 mm. in diameter, and provided 

 with bractlets ; stigmas linear or linear-oblong ; pollen- 

 grains simple ; pedicels of the mature pistillate flowers 

 1 mm. long or less, the perianth-bristles capillary, with 

 one or rarely two chains of cells at the tip. 



Widely distributed over the northern hemisphere, also in 

 tropical America and South America. Central and southern 

 California, abundant along irrigating canals in Imperial Valley. 

 Tvplia domingensis Pers., a doubtfully distinct species, has been 

 credited to California, but all the California material seems co- 

 specific and referable to angustifolia. Type locality: Europe. 



Family 2. SPARGANIACEAE. 

 BuR-REED Family. 

 Marsh or pond herbaceous plants with creeping rootstocks and fibrous roots, 

 erect or floating sim.ple or branched stems, and linear alternate leaves, sheathing 

 at the base. Flowers monoecious, densely crowded in globose heads on the upper 

 part of the stem and branches, the staminate heads uppermost, sessile or peduncled. 

 Spathes linear, immediately beneath or at a distance below the head. Perianth of 

 a few irregular chafify scales. Stamens commonly 5, their filaments distinct; 

 anthers oblong or cuneate. Ovary sessile, mostly 1-celled. rarely 2-celled. Ovules 

 anatropous. Fruit 1-2-celled and 1-2-seeded. nut-like. Embryo nearly straight, 

 in copious endosperm. 



The family comprises only one genus. 



