766 CYPERACES. [ Cyperus. 
2. C. vegetus, Wilid. Sp. Plant. i. 283. — Roots fibrous. 
Stems 1-2 ft. high, rather stout, smooth, sharply 3-angled above. 
Leaves shorter than the stem, rather flaccid, 1-4 in. broad ; margins 
smooth. Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel varying from 
14 to 6in. diam.; rays 5-9, unequal, each terminated by a 
dense globose umbellule; bracts about 6, similar to the leaves, 
long and spreading, the lowest in large specimens sometimes. 
18in. long. Spikelets very numerous, pale yellowish-green, much 
compressed, 4—2in. long, 12-—40-flowered. Glumes distichous, 
boat-shaped, ovate, apiculate, 3-nerved, margins membranous. 
Stamen 1. Nut about 2 the length of the glume, obovoid- 
triquetrous, shortly rostrate. Style-branches 3, lnear. —C. 
gracilis, Buch. m Trans. N.Z. Inst. iii. (1871) 210 (not of &. 
Br.).. C. Buchanani, Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) App. xli. 
NortH Isuanp: Auckland—Oruru and Oruaiti Valleys, near Mongonui,,. 
T. F.C. Wellington — Lower Hutt, Waiwetu, Wainuiomata, Greytown, Bu- 
chanan! Kirk! November—January. 
The true home of this plant, as has been pointed out by Mr. C. B. Clarke 
(Journ. Bot. 1897, 71) is in temperate South America, and there can be no 
doubt that it exists only as an introduced species in New Zealand, as also in 
many localities in southern Hurope, the Azores, North America, Tahiti, &c. I 
retain it in the Flora because it has been twice described as an indigenous 
species, and on account of the remarkable fact that wherever found it presents. 
all the appearance of a true native, and would certainly be taken as such by 
any one unacquainted with its origin. 
3. MARISCUS, Gaertn. 
Stems erect, simple below the inflorescence, leafy at the base. 
Inflorescence of the same forms as in Cyperus. Spikelets oblong 
or linear, compressed; rhachilla disarticulating above the two 
lowest empty glumes, and falling away in one piece, leaving a 
terminal rounded boss or knob. All other characters as in Cyperus. 
Species about 180, found in all tropical and subtropical regions, but not 
extending into Europe. The single New Zealand species is endemic. 
1. M. ustulatus, C. B. Clarke, MS.—Very robust, 2-4 ft. high. 
Stems smooth, striate, trigonous, +in. diam. Leaves crowded at 
the base of the stem, long, keeled, coriaceous, spongy towards the 
base, 4-lin. broad; margins and keel sharply and minutely serru- 
late. Inflorescence a large terminal umbel often more than 6in. 
diam.; rays 6-10, each bearing an oblong spike 1-2in. long of 
very numerous red-brown spikelets; bracts numerous, forming an 
involucre at the base of the umbel, very long and leafy, the 
lowest frequently over 2ft. Spikelets linear-lanceolate, 4—lLin. 
long, 5-20-flowered. Glumes distichous, ovate-oblong, obtuse or 
mucronate, smooth and shining, grooved. Stamens 3. Nut linear- 
oblong, trigonous ; style-branches 3.—Cyperus ustulatus, A. Ruch. 
Fl. Now. Zel. 101, t. 17; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 270; Raoul, 
Choix, 40; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 268; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 297. 
