SEDGE FAMILY 



23 



overlapping each other on 1 -many-flowered spikelets ; these 

 are variously grouped in spikes, panicles, and so on. Fruit 



D 



FIG. 4. Vernal grass (Anthoxanthum) 



A, a one-flowered spikelet : a, b, the outer empty glumes. B, a spikelet with the 

 outer glumes removed : c, c, the inner emnj y glumes (neuter flowers) with 

 long, bristle-shaped appendages ; d, e, palets ; anth., anthers ; stig., stigmas. 

 C, diagram of cross section of a spikelej : a, glume ; d, palet. D, a fruit. 

 (All magnified.) (After Cosson and De Saint-Pierre) 



a grain. (The family is too difficult for the beginner, but the 

 structure and grouping of the flowers may be gathered from a 

 careful study of Figs. 2, 3, 4.) 



5. CYPERACE^. SEDGE FAMILY 



Grass-like or rush-like herbs, with solid, usually triangular, 

 stems, growing in tufts. The sheathing base of the generally 

 3-ranked leaves, when present, is not slit as in grasses. The 

 flowers are usually somewhat less inclosed by bracts than 

 those of grasses ; the perianth is absent or rudimentary ; 

 stamens generally 3; style 2-cleft or 3-cleft. 



