SPARGANIACEAE. 9 



Flowers monoecious, in dense terminal spikes, the 

 staminate spike uppermost. Perianth of numerous fine 

 bristles. Stamens 2-7, filaments connate. Ovary stipi- 

 tate, 1-2-ovuled. Fruit minute, nut-like; endosperm 

 copious. 



1. TYPHA L. Cat-tail. 



The only genus; characters of the family. 



1. T. latifolia L. Stems stout, 1.5-3 m. high; leaves long, 6-20 

 mm. wide, sheathing at base; spike 15-25 cm. long, 20 mm. or more 

 in diameter, the staminate and pistillate portions usually contiguous; 

 stigmas rhomboid or spatulate; pollen grains in 4's; fruit furrowed, 

 bursting in water; seeds with separate outer coat. 



Frequent along the margins of marshes or slow-running streams. 

 May-July. 



2. T. angustifolia L. Stems slender, 1.5-3.5 m. high; leaves 4-9 

 mm. wide; spikes 15-30 cm. long, 4-15 mm. in diameter, the stami- 

 nate and pistillate portions usually distant; stigmas linear or linear- 

 oblong; pollen grains simple; fruit not furrowed, not bursting in 

 water, outer coat not separable. 



In similar places, but not common. Near Los Angeles, Hasse; 

 San Bernardino, Parish. 



Family 3. SPARGANIACEAE. Bur-reed Family. 



Marsh or aquatic plants with creeping rootstocks, 

 simple or somewhat branched stems and linear leaves. 

 Flowers in globose heads along the upper portions of the 

 stem and branches, the upper heads staminate, the 

 lower pistillate, in the axils of leaf-like bracts. Perianth 

 of minute irregular scales. Stamens with long slender 

 distinct filaments. Ovaries sessile, mostly 1-celled. 

 Fruit nut-like. 



1. SPARGANIUM L. Bur- reed. 



Characters of the family. 



1. S. greenei Morong. Stems rather stout, 1-2.5 m. high, 

 branching; leaves linear, flat, slightly keeled beneath, the lowest 

 1-1.5 m. long, the upper shorter; staminate heads numerous; pistil- 

 late heads 2-4, sessile or more commonly peduncled, compact, 

 20-40 mm. in diameter when mature; style 1; stigmas 1-2; nutlets 

 sessile, obovate, 6-10 mm. long; perianth segments as many as the 



