268 FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. | Cyperacee. 
Gen. IV. ALEPYRUM, Br. 
Spieula terminalis. Spatha bivalvis. Stamen 1, elongatum; anthera peltata. Ovaria 4-18, varie 
connata; sty/i totidem, filiformes, liberi v. connati. Uirieuli indehiscentes v. lateraliter dehiscentes. 
A Tasmanian and South Australian genus, containing several species. The only New Zealand one is a very 
remarkable little plant, described in the “Flora Antarctica’ as a Gaimardia, from imperfect specimens gathered in 
Auckland Island. Habit similar to that of Gaimardia, but this plant is smaller, and of a very pale green colour, 
with less coriaceous, softer, subulate leaves, 1 inch long, having transparent membranous sheaths. Peduncle 
terminal, shorter than the leaves, terminated by two unequal bracts, which enclose one flower that has no further 
perianth. Stamen one; filament long, much exserted; anther broad, peltate. Ovaries four, united in pairs, one 
above the other, or three together and one solitary; each with a long slender style. Some Australian species have 
many ovaries. (Name from a, privative, and Aerupov, a covering ; from the utricles resembling naked seeds.) 
l. Alepyrum pallidum, Hook. fil. Gaimardia? pallida, FZ. Antarct. p. 86. (Tas. LXII. C.) 
Has. Summit of the Ruahine mountains, Colenso. 
PLATE LXII. C. Fig. 1, leaf; 2, end of branch, with leaves and two flowers in the bracts; 3, inner bract 
and ovaria :—all magnified. 
Nar. Oz». XCIV. CYPERACEA?, Juss. 
Gen. I. CYPERUS, Z. 
Spieula disticha, multiflora. Sguama carinate, fere omnes florifere, 3-andre. Sete hypogyne 3. 
Stylus ovario inarticulatus, deciduus. 
An immense Tropical genus, abundant in Australia. The only New Zealand species has the culms leafy below, 
2-3 feet high. Leaves grassy, flat, scaberulous at the margin. Involuere of many long grassy leaves. Umbels of 
6—10 oblong, dense-flowered, deep brown spikes, 1 inch long, some peduncled. Spikelets numerous, sessile, + inch 
long, suberect. Scales 6-8, distichous, oblong, acute or mucronate, striate, shining. (Name, the «vreipos of the 
Greeks.) 
1. Cyperus ustulatus, A. Rich.; culmo trigono levi foliis planis denticulatis breviore, involucri 
foliolis elongatis longissimisve foliaceis, umbelle 6-10 radiatz spicis oblongis obtusis sessilibus peduncula- 
tisque, spiculis congestis suberectis lineari-oblongis acutis, squamis 6-8 oblongis acutis mucronatisve striatis 
castaneis nitidis.—.4. Rich. Flor. p. 101. t. 17. A. Cunn. Prodr. O. piceus, Banks et Sol. MSS. 
Has. Northern and Middle Islands, abundant, Banks and Solander, D' Urville, A. Cunningham, ete. 
Nat. name, “ Upoko tangata,” Col. “Toetoe whatu manu” (or “toetoe of which kites are made"), Lyall. 
Gen. IL. SCIRPUS, Z. 
Spicula undique v. distiche imbricata. Squame fere omnes florifere, 2-3-andree. Seta hypogyne 
squamis breviores. Stylus ovario inarticulatus, deciduus v. basi persistente articulatus. 
A large genus, found in most climates, as are several of its species. Spikelets terminal or lateral, on often 
leafless culms, sessile or peduncled, solitary or clustered. Scales imbricated on all sides, most or all with bi- or 
tri-androus flowers, furnished at the base with two to six scales or bristles. Style simple and continuous with the 
ovary, or bulbous at the base and jointed. (Name of Latin origin, but doubtful meaning.) 
1. Scirpus maritimus, L. ; culmo trigono folioso, spiculis terminalibus subpaniculatis sessilibus pedun- 
