344 ENDOGENOUS PLANTS 



2. 8. pane i flora . JfwW. Leaves narrow-linear ; spikelets in 

 pairs, in 2 or 3 clusters; akene tuberculate-rugose. 

 FEW-FLOWERED SCLERIA. 



(Mm 9 to 18 inches high, erect. Leaves 3 to 6 or 8 inches in length ; sheaths 

 pubescent. Fascicles few-flowered, the lateral ones usually 2 in number, on long 

 slender peduncles, the lower from a sheath near the base of the culm. Bracts 

 ciliate. Perigynium a wary ring, supporting 6 rounded tubercles. 

 Hob. Serpentine Banks; West Chester: not common. Fl. June. FT. July. 



TRIBE 5. CARFCEAE. 



Flowers usually monoicous either in the same spikelet (when they are termed 

 androgynous) or in separate spikekts, rarely dioicous ; proper perianth none ; 

 perigynium (or envelope of the ovary) mostly a membranous or glumaceous sac, 

 formed of 2 united scales. 



466. CA N REX, L. 



[A classical name, of obscure etmology.] 

 Spikelets several- or many-flowered, the staminate and pistillate 

 florets either in distinct spikelets on the same plant (rarely on different 

 plants) or in different portions of the same spikelets (i. e. androgynous). 

 Scales of the spikelets 1-flowered, imbricated on all sides. Stamens 

 mostly 3. Ovary included in a membranous (often urceolate, 

 beaked, and inflated) sac, or perigynium ; stigmas 2, or 3, long, 

 exserted from the orifice of the perigynium. Akene lenticular, 

 or triquetrous (according as the stigmas are 2, or 3), more or less 

 beaked with the base of the style. Perennials : culms usually cespi- 

 tose, triangular, often nodose and leafy ; spikelets terminal and 

 axillary, mostly bracteate at base. * 



A. Spikelet solitary, androgynous, staminate at summit : stigmas 3 ; 

 bracts small, scale-like, colored. 



1. C. polytrichoides, Muhl. Culm capillary; spikelet very 

 small; perigynia oblong, compressed-triangular, obtuse, twice the 

 length of the ovate scale. 



POLYTRICHTJM-LIKE CAREX. 



Culms 9 to 18 inches high, naked above, longer than the leaves. Leaves mostly 

 subradical, very narrow, becoming convolute when dry. Spikelet linear oblong ; 

 staminate florets 4 to 8 ; pistillate florets about 5 ; perigynia green. 

 Hob. Open woodlands, and low grounds : frequent. Fl. May. Fr. June. 



IS. Spikelets several, subpaniculate, mostly androgynous, sessile; 

 stigmas 2. 



gl. Spikelets approximated; staminate and pistillate florets variously situated. 



2. C. bromoides, Schkuhr. Spikelets 4 to 6, lance-oblong, some 

 of the middle ones wholly pistillate ; perigynia erect, acuminate, 

 longer than the lanceolate scale. 



BROMUS-LIKE CAREX. 



* It may be well to caution the inexperienced Herborizer, that the Carices like 

 the Umbettiferae should be gathered for examination, and for the Herbarium, 

 when the/rurt is full grown ; but not so old as to be easily detached, or shattered 

 off. They cannot be always determined and never so well while in flower. 



