CXLI. CYPERACEA. 419 
and equal or a few of the lower empty and smaller. Perianth 
0. Stamens 8, rarely 2-1. Style 3-fid, rarely 2-fid, deciduous. 
Achene triangular or rarely compressed, often mucronate by 
the persistent base of style.—Awnth, Enum. ii. p. 2. 
A large genus. Culms rarely leafless. Leaves grassy, mostly flat. 
Spikelets tufted, capitate or in simple or decompound umbels.— Many Cape 
species, in damp or wet soil. 
2. MARISCUS, Vahl. 
Spikelets 1-2-, rarely 3-5-flowered. Glumes distichous ; the 
lower empty. Perianth 0. Stamens 3. Ovary triangular ; 
style 3-fid, deciduous. Achene triangular, sunk in a hollow of 
the rachis, often mucronulate.—Kunth, l.c.p. 115. 
Habit of Cyperus, from which this differs by the few-flowered spikelets. 
Spikelets spicate ; the spikes aggregated in heads, tufts or umbels.—3 or 4 
Cape species. 
3. KYLLINGIA, Rottb. 
Spikelets compressed, 1—2-flowered, the upper flowers male, 
rarely 3-flowered. Glumes distichous, the fertile keeled, the 
sterile small. Perianth 0. Stamens 1-3. Ovary compressed ; 
style 2-fid, deciduous. Achene compressed, mucronate.— 
Kunth, l.c. p. 127. 
Culms leafy at base, rarely leafless. Leaves grassy. Heads of spikelets 
solitary, rarely 2-3, compact, generally involucred by 2-3 long, leafy bracts. 
—Several Cape species. 
TripE 2. Scrrpem. (Gen. 4-11.) 
4, ELEOCHARIS, R. Br. 
Spikelets many-, rarely few-flowered. Glumes imbricated 
on all sides, similar, a few of the lower empty. Perianth of 
6, rarely more or fewer bristles, mostly reversedly hairy ; 
very rarely 0. Stamens 3, rarely fewer. Style 3-fid, rarely 
2-fid, dilated at base. Achene triangular or lenticular, crowned 
with the persistent style-base—Kunth, l.c. p. 139. 
Marsh plants, with leafless culms, frequently creeping roots, and terminal, 
solitary spikes. —About 2 Cape species. 
5. SCIRPUS, Linn. 
Spikelets many-, rarely few-flowered. Glumes imbricated on 
all sides. Perianth of 6, rarely fewer, hispid, smooth or plu- 
mose bristles. Stamens 3, rarely fewer. Style 3-fid, rarely 
2-fid, not swollen at base. Achene triangular or compressed, 
obtuse or tipped with the base of style-—Awunth, l.e. p. 157. 
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