SPECIES AND VARIETIES. 333 



tufts, with 1-2 short, subulate leaves on each stem, sheathing 

 it at the base ; spikelets ovoid, solitary, or 2-3 together in a 

 little cluster, appearing lateral, the subulate point of the outer 

 bract forming a continuation of the stem ; glumes broad, short, 

 dark brown, with a green midrib. Muddy places, margins of 

 pools, etc. Fl. July. 



** Hypoc/ynous bristles 4-6. 



S. csespitosus : stem ^1 foot high, densely tufted ; spike- 

 lets solitary and terminal, ovoid, brown, the outer bract like 

 the glumes but larger, with an almost leafy tip, about the 

 length of the spikelet ; flowers usually 6-8 in the spikelet. 

 Marshes and bogs. FL June to August. 



*** Hypogynous bristles 6. 



f Stem triangular ; panicle leafy. 



S. maritimus : stems sharply triangular, 25 feet high ; 

 leaves long, flat, pointed, often far exceeding the stem ; spike- 

 lets rich brown, ovoid or lanceolate, sometimes only 2-3 in a 

 close sessile cluster, more frequently 8-10 in a compound 

 cluster, the outer ones stalked ; glumes notched, with a fine 

 point. Salt marshes. Fl. July. 



S. sylvaticus : stems triangular, 2-3 feet high ; leaves long, 

 grass-like; spikelets ovoid, dark shining green, very nume- 

 rous, in clusters of 2-3 together, forming a terminal, much 

 branched, compound umbel or panicle, with an involucre of 

 2-3 linear leaves ; glumes keeled and pointed. Moist woods, 

 and banks of rivers. Fl. July. 



ft Stem triangular ; panicle leafless. 



S. triqueter : stems acutely triangular, 2-3 feet high, leaf- 

 less; spikelets ovoid 8-10 or more, the central ones sessile, 

 the others stalked, forming a compound lateral cluster or urn- 



