334 SUMxMEll FLOWERS. 



belj the stiff, triangular outer bract continuing the stem for an 

 inch or more; glumes brown^ broad^ usually notched or fringed 

 at the top_, with a minute point. — Marshes and edges of pools. 

 n. August. 



ttt ^tem terete. 

 S. lacTistris: stems stout, erect, 2-6 or 8 feet high, cylindrical 

 at the base, tapering upwards, sometimes obtusely triangular 

 near the top, with a single short leaf near the base ; spikelets 

 ovoid or oblong, rather numerous, in a compound lateral um- 

 bel or cluster, the outer bract continuing the stem ; glumes 

 numerous, broad, brown, fringed at the edge, notched at the 

 top, with a little point in the notch. — Bull-rush. — Margins of 

 lakes and ponds. Fl. June, July. 



(303) Eriophonim. Cotton-sedge. 



E. vaginatum : stems tufted, one foot high or more, with 

 one or two linear, almost subulate leaves ; upper sheaths in- 

 flated, without any or only a very short blade ; spikelet soli- 

 tary, terminal, ovoid, deep olive-green ; hypogynous bristles 

 numerous, forming at length dense cottony tufts. — Bogs and 

 wet moors. Fl. May. 



E. polystachyum : leaves few, mostly radical, triangular, or 

 channelled; stems 1-14 feet high, with a terminal umbel of 

 2-3 to 8-10 or more spikelets, the inner ones sessile, the outer 

 ones more or less stalked, often drooping ; spikelets ovoid 

 or oblong ; hypogynous bristles very numerous, forming dense 

 cottony tufts, often attaining 1-14 inch in length. — Bogs and 

 wet moors. Fl. May, June. 



E. gracile is a small form, with very slender leaves, and few 

 almost erect spikelets ; and E. latifolium, a tallish slender 

 plant, with the leaves nearly flat. Both are rare. 



