CYPERACEi^. 439 



SCIRPUS. F.B.I. 172 X. 



Spikelets of many glumes spirally arranged, as in 

 FIMBRISTYLIS and EL^OCHARIS, but the base of the 

 style not swollen nor jointed just above the way. 



Species 125 in all regions. 



Scirpus fluitans Linn. ; F.B.I, vi 653, X I. Stems weak, 

 branched, and leafy, 2 to 12 inches long, flaccid in 

 water or on mud. Leaves J^ to 2^ inches, very narrow. 

 Spikelets solitary, terminal on the stem and its branches, 

 1/8 by 1/16 inch. Glumes boat-shaped, the lower not 

 much shorter than the upper, more or less imbricate or 

 distichous ; lowest empty, the others all fertile, without 

 bristles. Style continuous with the top of the ovary. 

 Nut one-half to two-thirds the glume. 



Pulneys : on the downs, Pillar Rocks shola, etc. Bourne 

 1219, 3019. 



Gen. Disi. Nilgiris, Ceylon, Khasia, and nearly all regions. 



Scirpus articulatus Linn. ; F.B.I, vi 656, X 9. Giant 

 Rush. Stems many, 12 to 30 inches, the thickness of quill 

 to a lead pencil, hollow with cross partitions inside, sur- 

 rounded by a sheath at the base. Spikelets in a dense 

 bunch on one side about half way up, /^ to J^ inch long, 

 rusty or dark purple. Glumes slightly keeled, entire. 

 Style slender, * branches three, long.' Nuts a symmetrical 

 pyramid with slightly concave face. t. 282. 



Nilgiris : Pykara, flowering May. Fyson. 

 Qen. Dist. Throughout India, also Africa, Philippines, Australia. 



Scirpus mucronatus Linn.; F.B.I, vi 657, X 11. A robust 

 water-sedge, with triangular green stems 2 or 3 feet 

 high, having a dense bunch of spikelets on one side an 

 inch or so below the top. Roots fibrous. Stem enclosed 

 below in a triangular sheath. Membranous on one side 



