254 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



ORDER 262. CYPERACE^. The Sedge Tribe. 



This is an extensive assemblage of plants, out of the tropics 

 especially, which flourish greatly in the temperate regions. A 

 considerable number is found in this State, being those which are 

 common to the Northern States. 



Glume or bract commonly solitary, imbricated with perfect 

 flowers, sometimes monoecious, rarely dicecious ; stamens vary 

 from 1 - 12 ; ovary 1 -seeded, often with bristles rising from its 

 base ; style single, 2 or 3-dIvided ; stems with joints, also many 

 without joints. 



The Cyperacese have the general appearance of the grasses, 

 and are usually confotmded with them. In the young state, 

 some of them are food for cattle, though they contain much less 

 nutritious matter than the proper grasses. They are found in 

 every variety of situation. 



Of the 247 species, credited to North America by Dr. Tor- 

 rey, 125 are credited to this State in the " Geology " ; though 

 some, perhaps, of the latter, are considered not distinct species 

 in the former enumeration. 



Besides the elucidation of the grasses by Dr. Muhlenberg, 

 there has been an elaborate Monograph of the Rhynchospora by 

 Dr. Gray, in the " Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of 

 New York," and also of the Cyperaceae by Dr. Torrey, in the 

 same work. The value of these works can be appreciated only 

 by the systematic botanist. Several genera have been more or 

 less changed ; but in this Report the older divisions will be re- 

 tained. Some new species have been found. 



DuLicHiuM. Richard. 3. 1. 



Spikes somewhat branched, axillary ; spikelets linear-lanceo- 

 late ; glumes 2-rowed, sheathing, with a long style ; nut with 

 bristles at the base. 



i>. spathaceum. Pers. Galingale. Leaves spreading in three 

 directions, on a roundish culm, and somewhat tapering, and with 

 spreading spikelets from sheaths which are spathe-like, and end in 



