104 Key to the System of 



Branches almost straight or absent ... 508 



508. Rudimentary sepals and petals absent. 



Spikelets producing two or few flowers, usually only one 

 fruit-bearing ; stamens three to six ; stigmas three, 

 generally undivided. (Cladium.) Gahiiia. 1925 



Rudimentary sepals and petals present. 



Spikelets producing two or few flowers, one only fruit- 

 bearing ; bracts several ; sepals and petals minute, scale- 

 like, firm, generally pointed ; stamens usually three ; 

 stigmas always three, undivided. Figure 125. 



Lepidosperma. 1938 



509. Rudimentary sepals and petals abbreviated, scale-like. 



Spikelet always singly terminal, producing two flowers, 

 only one of them pistillate ; stamens three ; style equally 

 thin, jointed on the fruit ; stigmas three. 



Lepidospora. 1952 



Rudimentary sepals and petals elongated or absent ... 510 



510. Rudimentary sepals and petals elongated, plumous. 



Alpine plant ; spikelets more than one, each producing one 

 flower only ; bracts about six ; stamens three ; style-base 

 enlarged, persistent. Carpha. 1953 



Rudimentary sepals and petals absent. 



Spikelets more than one, producing one or two flowers, 

 usually only one pistillate; bracts only three or four; 

 stamens three or fewer ; style thin throughout ; stigmas 

 always two ; fruit biangular, dropping within the two 

 upper deciduous bracts. Kyllingia. 1954 



511. Bracts in two straight rows ... ... ... ... 512 



Bracts in several spiral rows ... ... ... ... 513 



512. All bracts fruit-bearing, except one or two of the 



lowest. 



Spikelets with few, several or many flowers ; stamens and 

 pistil in each flower ; stamens three or less ; style thin 

 throughout; stigmas two or three; fruit bi- or tri-angular, 

 each dropping from its solitary bract. Cyperus. 1955 



