CYPERACE^ 225 



Marshes and lakes near the sea, rare. June-August. Near Frejus and near 

 Hyeres (Ceinturon marshes). 



S. setaceus L. Stems slender, 2-6 in. high, in little dense tufts, with one 

 or two short subulate leaves on each stem, sheathing it at the base. Spikelets 

 ovoid, solitary or 2 or 3 in a little sessile cluster, the subulate outer bract forming 

 a continuation of the stem. Glumes broad, short, dark brown with a green 

 midrib. 



Damp, sandy places and places flooded in winter. May-August. Near 

 Toulon, Bormes, Vallon de la Sauvette, the R. Verne near Collobrieres , etc. 

 S. Savii Seb. et Maur. occurs in similar places. 



ELEOCHARIS Br. 



E. palustris Br. and E. multicaulis Sm. are species with numerous 

 erect stems springing from a creeping root-stock, all leafless except for one or 

 two short sheaths at the base. The spikelets are solitary and terminal. 

 E. multicaulis is very rare, being found in the Esterel and by the R. Var near 

 Nice in June and July. The genus is often spelt Heleocharis. 



FIMBRISTYLIS Vahl. 



F. dichotoma Vahl. A slender annual, 3-8 in. high, pubescent on the 

 leaves and bracts. Leaves very narrow filiform, about as long as the stems. 

 Inflorescence an umbel of unequal rays, often passed by the setaceous bracts. 

 Spikelets pale yellow, oblong. Stigmas 2-fringed or ciliate. Nut naked, 

 obovate compressed, fawn colour. 



Damp, sandy places at the mouth of the R. Var in les Alpes-Marit. July- 

 October. Its only known station in France though widely distributed in Southern 

 Europe and the hot countries of the globe. 



SCHCENUS L. 



S. nigricans L. Black Schoenus, " Bog Rush". Stems terete, 6-30 in. 

 in dense hard tufts of matted sheaths and leaves, wiry, leafless above. Sheaths 

 reddish-brown or black, shining. Leaves wiry, terete, with convolute margins. 

 Spikes obovoid, very dark brown, shining, usually shorter than the setaceous 

 bract. Spikelets 4-10, erect, linear-oblong. Glumes irregular distichous, 

 oblong-lanceolate, subacute. Nut small, ovoid, white. 



Damp, sandy places, especially near the sea, common. April-July. 



CLADIUM Pair. Brown. 



C. Mariscus Br. A tall rush-like plant with creeping root-stock and leafy 

 stems, 3-6 ft. high. Leaves nearly erect, smooth and sheathing at base, then 

 keeled and ending in a long point ; the keel and edges very rough and cutting, 

 being provided with minute, sharp teeth. Spikelets pale brown, in small clusters, 

 arranged in panicles in the upper axils, the whole forming a terminal leafy 

 panicle. Nut tapering at the top. Glumes imbricated round the axis. 



Ditches, marshes, rare. June-July. Near Toulon, Hyeres, Le Pradet, La 

 Crau, Frejus, Cannes, Golfe Jouan, and R. Var. 



CAREX L. SEDGE. 



The following are the chief species of Carex found in the district dealt with 

 in this book. Some others occur in the Maritime Alps, beyond our region. Let 

 us briefly describe seven very characteristic species, only one of which is found 

 in Great Britain and that of recent discovery. 



C. chietophylla Steud. Closely allied to C. divisa Huds. (which is less 

 common) but more slender and with filiform stems 6-18 in. high. Root-stock 

 creeping. Leaves very narrow, channelled and setiform. Spike small, ovoid, 

 dense, with 2-5 male spikelets at the top, often exceeded by a setaceous bract. 

 Glumes ovate-acuminate. Fruit as long as the glume and with a rather long 

 beak. 



Grassy, sandy places and road-sides, very common on the littoral. April - 



15 



