567 
CYPERACEjE. (sedge family.) 
125. c. oligosperma, Michx. Staminate spikes 1 - 2, slen- 
^ er i fertile spikes 1—2, short , ovoid iftw-fiowered, the lower on a very 
short stalk; perigynia ovoid, tapering into a short minutely-toothed 
beak, not much longer than the ovate awnless scale ; culm very slen¬ 
der ; leaves and bracts linear , at length involute. (C. Oakesiana, Dew.) 
Borders of lakes and ponds, especially on mountains, New England 
to Michigan northward. 
126. C. longirdstris, Torr. Sterile spikes usually 3, at the 
summit of a long slender stalk; the lower often with a few fertile 
flowers; fertile spikes 2-3, cylindrical , more or less distant, on long 
filiform at length drooping stalks; loosely flowered ; perigynia globose- 
ovoid , smooth and shining, with an abrupt very long and narrow beak , 
rough on the margin, oblique and 2-cleft at the membranaceous orifice , 
a little longer than the lanceolate light-colored or white scale. (C. 
Sprengelii, Dew.) — Shady rocks, N. New England to Michigan. 
— Though agreeing with the species of this section in the numerous 
staminate spikes and the long-beaked fruit, this plant is perhaps as 
nearly allied to No. 93. 
Order 129. GRAMINE^E. (Grass Family.) 
Grasses , with usually hollow stems (culms) closed at the 
joints , alternate 2-ranked leaves , their sheaths split or open 
on the side opposite the blade ; the hypogynous flowers im¬ 
bricated with 2-ranked glumes or bracts: the outer pair 
(glumes proper, calyx , L.) subtending the spikelet of one or 
several flowers ; the inner pair ( palece ; outer perianth , R. 
Br.) inclosing each particular flower, which is usually fur¬ 
nished with 2 or 3 minute hypogynous scales (squamulce, 
Juss. ; corolla , Micheli, lodiculoe , Beauv.). Stamens 1-6, 
commonly 3: anthers versatile, 2-celled, the cells distinct. 
Styles mostly 2 or 2-parted ; stigmas hairy or feathery. 
Ovary 1-celled, l-ovuled, forming a seed-like grain ( cary - 
opsis) in fruit. Embryo at the base and on the outside of 
the floury albumen. — Roots fibrous. Sheath of the leaves 
usually more or less extended above the base of the blade 
into a scarious appendage (ligule). Spikelets panicled or 
spiked. Inner (and upper) palea usually 2-nerved, and in¬ 
ferred to consist of 2 united. 
