KKPOEr OF THE STATE BOTANIST. 75 



4 Culms weak, recurved or reclining 6 



4 Culms erect or spreading Peckii. 



5 Radical spikes present deflexa. 



5 Radical spikes wanting Emmonsii. 



6 Staminate spike about J" wide, the lowest pistillate 



spike with a long slender green bract Nova3-AngliiB. 



6 Staminate spike more than Y wide 7 



7 Plant stoloniferoua, scales of pistillate spikes com- 

 monly brown or purplish Pennsylvanica. 



7 Plant not stoloniferous, scales of pistillate spikes 



commonly greenish or tawny varia. 



84. Carex uinbellata Sc/Jc. 



Stems 2'-4' hif^h, erect, growing in dense tufts frona strong 

 fibrous roots, somewhat stoloniferous; leaves 2'-10' long, about 

 1" wide, flat, or sometimes involute, rough, stiff, erect or spread- 

 ing ; staminate spike clavate, I'- ^ in length, rarely with a pistillate 

 spike at its base ; pistillate spikes in clusters of 2 or 3 on stems 

 y -2' long ; usually level topped, 3 -8 flowered ; perigynia ovoid or 

 triangular-obovate, nerveless, lightly pubescent, green or turn- 

 ing to brownish wnth age, with an abrupt flattish bidentate 

 beak, usually covered by the ovate pointed scale. 



Dry or sandy soil and rocky places. Common. May, June. 



The umbel-like clusters of pistillate spikes suggest the name of 

 this species. They are often half concealed by the leaves. 



Var. vicina Dew. A form with 1 or 2 fertile spikes at the 

 base of the sterile spike. 



It is found with the typical form. 



85. Carex Pennsylvanica Zam, 

 Stoloniferous ; stems 6'-18' high, slender, erect or spreading, 

 rough or smooth, basal sheaths purplish or dull brown, tibrillose; 

 leaves mostly about the length of the culm but sometimes ex- 

 ceeding it, j'-lj-" wide, rough-margined, bright or dull green, 

 erect or diffuse ; staminate spike club shaped, 5"-D" long, usually 

 sessile, scales oblong obtuse or pointed, brown, or blackish brown ; 

 pistillate spikes 1-4, usually 3, globular or oblong, densely or 

 loosely flowered, the upper 2 contiguous, sessile, the lowest 2"-6" 

 distant, scisUe or slightly stalked., bracts scale-like acute or 



