44 CYPERACEA 
flowers, the two upper barren; fruit tapering to a very long point, nearly 
cylindrical, deflexed ; leaves flat, much shorter than the stem. Not unlike 
C. pulicdris, from which, however, it may at once be distinguished by its 
much more slender fruit, which is of a pale yellow colour, and by its shorter 
leaves, in addition to the difference in the number of stigmas. It is not 
unfrequent in the Highlands, where it grows in moory places, and has also 
been found as far south as Yorkshire. It flowers in June. 
iii. Spike compound, some flowers in each spikelet bearing stamens (barren), and 
some pistils (fertile). Stigmas 2. 
* Spikelets crowded into a head. 
6. Curved Sedge (C. inciérva).—Spikelets barren above, fertile below, 
crowded into a roundish head. A well-marked and rare species, inhabiting 
sandy seashores in the north of Scotland. The rootstock creeps extensively 
an inch or two beneath the surface of the sand, sending up, at intervals of 
two or three inches, one or more tufts of leaves and a head of flowers, which 
last, as it approaches maturity, bends down until it touches the sand. The 
roots, which are long, fibrous and tufted, issue from the main stem nearly 
opposite the leaves. The heads are large, but are rarely elevated more 
than two inches from the ground. Flowering in June. 
* * Spikelets alternate, barren at the base, fertile above. 
7. Oval-spiked Sedge (C. ovilis).—Spikelets 5—6, oval, 1 terminal, the 
rest inserted, about half the length of a spikelet, one below another ; fruit 
as long as the calyx, ovate, with a rough membranous margin tapering toa 
point which is 2-cleft. Common in marshy places. A somewhat slender 
plant with long grassy leaves, triangular stems, and brownish-green shining 
spikelets, without conspicuous bracts. It flowers in June and July. 
8. Little Prickly Sedge (C. séelluldta).—Spikelets 3—4, roundish, 
rather distant ; fruit angular, with a long beak, rough at the margin, spread- 
ing when ripe. Marshy ground, common. A slender plant from 12—18 
inches high, with long grassy leaves, well distinguished by its roundish 
spikelets or fruit, which grow about 7—8 together, each in the form of a 
star. It flowers in May and June, and is also known as C. echinata. 
9. White Sedge (C. curta).—Spikelets 5—6, rather distant, especially 
the lower ones ; fruit elliptical, with a very short beak, about equal in length 
to the glumes. A slender plant from 12—18 inches high, having something 
of the habit of C. ovdlis. The spikelets, however, are not more than half as 
large, more distant ; and the glumes are of a peculiar whitish hue, with green 
keels. It grows in bogs, but is rare, and flowers in June, 
10. Hare’s-foot Sedge (C. leporina).—Spikelets 3, rarely 4, ovate, 
crowded ; fruit elliptical, tapering to a point, equalling in length the ovate 
obtuse scales, A very rare plant found at an altitude of 3,600 feet on the 
west side of Loch-na-gar, with a stem from 4—8 inches high, smooth and 
triangular. The glumes are reddish, with the margins paler ; fruit yellow. 
Also known as C. lagopina. 
11. Elongated Sedge (C. elongata). — Spikelets numerous, oblong, 
rather distant; fruit oblong, tapering to a point, scarcely beaked, but bear- 
