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A TEXTBOOK OF THEORETICAL BOTANY 



single anatropous ovule. In the genus Carex the female flower is borne in 

 the axil of a second glume, sometimes called the utricle, which forms a sac 

 around the ovary. The flowers are pollinated by wind. 



The fruit is an akene and the testa is not adherent to the pericarp as it 

 is in the Gramineae. 



The members of the family are well represented in the British Flora, 

 the commonest genus being Carex (Fig. 2003). This genus has about 900 

 species occurring in marshes in north and south temperate regions. About 

 sixty species occur in Britain. Among the other genera we may mention 

 ScirpHS with 200 cosmopolitan species, characteristic of wet moorland, 

 fifteen of which are found in Britain. S. laciistris (the Bullrush) is generally 

 used for making matting and chair seats. Eviophorum (Fig. 2004) contains 



Fig. 2004. — Eviophorum angustifoliiim. Inflorescences 

 with protandrous bisexual flowers. Those on left 

 displaying stamens, those on the right, stigmas. 



fifteen species found on wet moors of north temperate regions. Four 

 occur in Britain and are referred to collectively as Cotton Grass or Cotton 

 Sedge. The perianth consists of bristles which after fertilization grow out 

 into long hairs which serve as a means of distributing the fruits. These 

 hairs are used, especially in Ireland, for stufling pillows. Eleocharis contains 

 ninety cosmopolitan species of which three, including E. paliistris (Spike 

 Rush), occur in marshes and turfy moors in Britain. E. tiiberosus produces 

 tubers which are used in eastern Asia as food. Finally we may mention the 

 genus Cyperus (Fig. 2005) which includes some 400 tropical and warm 

 temperate species, two of which are found in Britain. C. papyrus (Paper 

 Reed) is an African river-side plant with shoots 3 to 12 ft. high from which 

 in ancient times paper was made. The rhizome is edible as are also the 

 tuberous roots of several species, e.g., C. esculeutus, the Rush Nut, a native 

 of southern Europe. The split or whole stem is also sometimes used in 

 basket-making. 



