SEDGE TRIBE 47 
iv. Terminal sptkelet fertile above, barren below ; the rest fertile. Stigmas 3. 
24, Close-headed Alpine Sedge (C. vihlii).—Spikelets 3—4, cluster- 
‘ing; fruit obovate, rough above, longer than the glumes. Very rare, on 
rocks in Aberdeenshire and Forfarshire at altitudes between 2,400 and 2,600 
feet. Well marked by its dark purple-brown spikelets, the lower ones being 
nearly round when in fruit, and accompanied by a short leafy bract ; the 
upper spikelet is cylindrical and more pointed. The stem, which is trian- 
gular, is from 6—12 inches high. It flowers in July. Also known as 
C. alpina. 
25. Hoary Sedge (C. canéscens).—Spikclets 3—5, sessile except the 
lowest, which is stalked ; stem triangular, leafy below. A very rare species 
from 1—2 feet high, found only on a small island in Lough Neagh, Ireland, 
flowering in July. Also known as C. buabaumit. 
26. Black Sedge (C. atrdta).—Spikelets 4—6, ovate, stalked, finally 
drooping. A rare species, found on Snowdon and on alpine rocks in West- 
moreland, and the Highland mountains, at altitudes between 2,400 and 3,700 
feet. It attains the height of about a foot, and is remarkable for its un- 
usually broad, flat, keeled leaves, and the dark purple-brown hue of its 
glumes. It flowers in June. 
v. One (or sometimes two) terminal spikelets, barren ; the rest fertile. 
* Stigmas 2. 
27. Three-nerved Sedge (C. trinérvis).—Spikelets close, fertile ones 
2 or 3, sessile, oblong or cylindrical, lower bract slender, longer than the 
spikelet, not sheathing; glumes brown with green midrib; fruit lentil- 
shaped, brown, dotted ; leaves smooth, keeled, as long as or longer than the 
smooth 3-sided stem. This is a stout species with thick roots, and long scaly 
rootstocks from which runners branch off. It varies in height from 6 inches 
to a foot, and the leaves are of the same length or longer. Its distribution 
in this country is restricted to the coast of Norfolk, where it may be found 
in wet sandy places, and flowering in July and August. 
28. Common Sedge (C. vulgaris). Spikelets from 3—5, cylindrical ; 
bracts leafy, dilated at the base, and forming small round dark auricles : 
glumes obtuse, dark purple-brown ; fruit elliptical, with a very short beak. 
Common in marshes and wet pastures, where it flowers in May and June, grow- 
ing about a foot high, with a slender, acutely triangular stem, which is rough 
towards the top ; leaves long and slender. Also known as C. goodenovit. 
29. Rigid Sedge (C. rigida).—Spikelets oblong, 3—5 ; lower bract leafy, 
longer than its spikelet, with small round black auricles ; glumes obtuse, 
black. On mountains from North Wales and Yorkshire northwards; also 
in the west and north of Ireland. It grows from 4—6 inches high, forming 
numerous tufts of rigid acute leaves, which are as long as the stem. It 
flowers in June and July. 
30. Straight-leaved Water Sedge (C. aqudtilis).—Spikelets long and 
slender, tapering towards the base, and often having barren flowers at the 
extremities; stem stout, stiff, and smooth, usually triangular ; leaves long 
