380 TYPHACE^E. 



high and stouter than in the preceding. Leaves all radical, narrow, sheathing 

 at base, shorter than the scape. Flowers very small, greenish, in a long termi- 

 nal spike. Sea-side Arrow Grass. 



2. SCHEUCHZERIA. Linn. Scheuchzeria. 

 (In honor of the three Scheuchzers, Swiss botanists.) 



Perianth of 6 somewhat petaloid persistent leaves ; the 3 

 inner ones narrower. Stamens 6. Anthers on slender filaments. 

 Capsules 3, inflated, united at base, 1 2 seeded. 



S. palitstris Linn. 



Sphagnous swamps. Can. to Virg. ; rare. July. Tj.. Stem 8 12 inches 

 high, angular. Leaves linear, roundish, sheathing at base. Flmvers greenish- 

 yellow, in a small terminal raceme. Marsh Scheuchzeria. 



ORDER CXLII. TYPHACE^E. CAT TAILS. 



Flowers monoecious, arranged upon a naked spadix. Perianth 

 consisting of 3 or more scales or bristles. STERILE FL. Sta- 

 mens numerous ; the filaments distinct or united below ; anthers 

 erect, 2-celled. FERTILE FL. Ovary single, 1 -celled ; style 

 short ; stigmas 1 2, linear. Fruit dry, indehiscent. Seed 1 ; 

 albumen mealy. Aquatic or marsh plants. Stem without 

 nodes. Leaves rigid, ensiform, with parallel veins. 



1. SPARGANIUM. Linn. Bur Reed. 



(From the Greek <nrapyavov t a little band ; in allusion to its long and narrow 

 leaves.) 



Monoecious. Flowers in dense spherical heads, the sterile 

 ones above. STERILE FL. Stamens numerous, intermixed with 

 membranous scales. FERTILE FL. Pistils numerous, sessile, 

 each surrounded with 3 6 scales. Style short. Fruit sessile. 



1 . S. ramosum Smith : leaves triangular . at base, their sides concave ; 

 common peduncle branched ; stigma linear. S. erectum Linn. 



Stagnant waters. Can. to Virg. July, Aug. %.. Stem 2 feet high, round, 

 flexuous, with 2 or 3 short axillary branches at the top. Lower leaves very long, 

 linear-ensiform. Heads distantly placed ; the sterile above more numerous and 

 smaller than the fertile. Branching Bur-reed. 



2. iS 1 . simplex Huds. : stem nearly simple ; leaves triangular at base, the 

 sides flat ; stigma linear. /S. Americanum Nutt. 



Ponds and lakes. Can. to Car. July, Aug. 1\.. Smaller than the last. 

 Stem simple or rarely a little branched. Fertile heads 2 3, mostly sessile. 

 Flowers pale-yellow. Smaller Bur-reed. 



3. S. natans Smith : stem simple ; leaves floating, very narrow, flat ; stig- 

 ma linear, short; heads of sterile flowers subsolitary. S. angitstifolmm 

 Mick. 



