LIBRARY 

 NHW TURK 



• - ■ I 



The Iowa Sedges. 



By R. I. C RATTY 



The CyperacetB or Sedge Family includes about one-twelfth 

 of the flowering plants found within the limits of our state. 

 It comprises about 65 genera and 3.000 species of wide geo- 

 graphical distribution but most numerous in the north tem- 

 perate zone. Of the 20 genera found in the northern United 

 States and Canada. 10 are known to occur in Iowa, and it is 

 probable that two others. Cladium and Rhxnchospora, will vet 

 be found. 



The sedges have solid stems which are usually triangular, 

 the sheaths of the leaves being closed. The flowers, which 

 are arranged in spikes or spikelets. are in the axils of single 

 scales, the perianth none, or replaced by bristles in Eriopliorum, 

 Didichium. and in most species of Eleocharis and Scirpus. 

 The fruit is a triangular or lenticular akene. which in the 

 genus Carex is inclosed in a sac, technically called a peri- 

 gynium. 



There is found in Iowa very nearly the same number of 

 species belonging to each of the two great families, the Cv- 

 ■pcracav and the GraminetB, but in the number of individual 

 plants the former is very greatly out-numbered by the latter. 

 This disparity, so noticeable in our original flora, is being in- 

 creased every year as the introduced and cultivated grasses 

 are rapidly taking the place of the sedges on all tillable and 

 closely pastured land. 



Those species of sedge, belonging principally to the genus 



Carex, found on upland prairies and in the woods are of con- 



lo siderable economic value for pasturage, but on the open lands 



are usually so mature at the time the native grasses are ready 



•n to be mowed as to be of little value for hay. If closely pas- 



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