CYPERACE^i 295 



A very large genus of about 800 species, spread widely over 

 Europe, Northern Asia, and North America, extending into the 

 mountain ranges of the tropics, and reappearing in the temperate 

 regions of the southern hemisphere. Many species, and most of the 

 large ones, grow in wet places. 



In order to correctly determine many kinds, it is necessary to 

 have specimens with more or less ripe fruit. 



In the European Alps about 20 species reach the upper limit of 

 Alpine pastures, or about 8000 feet ; and at least another score are 

 found between 5000 and 7000 feet. At Mont Cenis alone the author 

 collected 33 species of Carex from above 6000 feet in July and 

 August, 1907. l It is probable that in the whole of Switzerland so 

 large a number could not be found at that height ; though Switzer- 

 land yields about 88 species and sub-species, or a few more than are 

 found in the British Isles. 



In the present work it is only possible to give brief descriptions of 

 some of the most characteristic species commonly found in sub- 

 alpine regions. 



Carex pulicaris L. Flea Sedge. 



A small tufted species, 4-8 inches high, with narrow leaves shorter 

 than the stem. Spikelet terminal and solitary, male in the upper 

 half, the lower flowers being female. Stigmas 2. Fruit ovate, 

 sessile and erect when young, becoming oblong and pointed and 

 horizontal or reflected when ripe and resembling fleas. 



Marshes and wet meadows in the plains and sub- Alps. May, 

 June. 



Distribution. Most of Europe from Scandinavia to the Caucasus. 

 British. 



Carex microglochin Wahl. 



A somewhat similar species in habit and size. Spikelet 10-12 

 flowered. Fruit with a long, green bristle at the base, ovate- 

 lanceolate, 5 mm. long, dark brown. Leaves setaceous, channelled. 



Alpine and sub-alpine marshes and bogs ; rare. June. 



Distribution. Switzerland (Orisons, Valais, etc.), Mt. Cenis, 

 Savoy, Central and Northern Europe and Asia ; Greenland. 



Carex pauciflora Lightfoot. 



A small slender species, with long creeping runners and slightly 

 branched stem, decumbent at the base, occasionally tufted. Leaves 

 narrow, the upper ones sheathing the stem to the middle. Spikelet 

 solitary, pale brown, with a few flowers, the male being uppermost. 

 Stigmas 3. Fruit narrow and pointed, spreading or reflexed when 

 ripe, nearly as long as the spikelet. 



1 H. S. Thompson, Liste des Phantrogames et Crypt, vase, rtcueillis au-dessus de 

 2440 metres dans les districts du Mont-Cenis, de la Savoie, du Dauphinl et des Alpes- 

 Marit. In Bulletin d'Acad. de Geograph. Bot. (1908). 



