218 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



cidum, Mx., neither is yet of any consequence ; grow in ponds ; 

 flowers distinct. No known use. 



ORDER 255. TYPHACE^. The Bulrush Tribe. 



Flowers along a naked stem or spadix, the 3-6 stamens in 

 one flower, and the pistils in another, surrounded by a 3-parted 

 perianth ; ovary superior, 1 -celled, with a short style, and dry 

 fruit ; stems without knots or joints ; leaves long, stiff, sword- 

 form, with parallel veins ; marshes and ditches, chiefly in North- 

 ern countries ; not of great use. 



In this country, this is a small tribe of two genera, which have, 

 to the eye of most persons, few common characters to unite 

 them. 



TrPHA. L. 19. 3. 



From the Greek, for marshy its natural habitation ; flowers in 

 a long, dense, cylindrical spike. Two species in this State, in- 

 digenous also to a great part of the world. 



T. latifolia. L. Cat Tail. Reed Mace. A splendid reed, 

 tall, erect, with very long, flat, erect leaves, and a terminal spike of 

 insignificant flowers in great abundance. The sterile flowers 

 form a dense cylinder 4 — 6 — 8 inches long, at the end of the 

 stem, while the fertile flowers form an equally dense cylinder 

 immediately below. The pollen, which falls in great plenty from 

 the upper to the lower cylinder, to fructify the fertile flowers, is 

 very combustible, and flashes on the application of a candle. 

 The leaves, which are finely shaped, colored, and beautiful, 

 are extensively used in the manufacture of flag-bottomed chairs ; 

 also by coopers to make close the joints of casks ; for making 

 mats, baskets, and for thatching ; and the hairy covering of the 

 fruit is sometimes used for beds, or rather, mattresses, a poor sub- 

 stitute for hair, moss, husks, &,c. 



T. angustifoUa. L. A narrow-leafed plant, leaves channeled, 

 fertile spike a little removed from the other. Found in similar 

 situations in the vicinity of Boston, but not known in the western 

 part of the State. 



