SciRPus. CYPERACE^. 351 



• Spike solilarij, terminal, 



1. SciRPUs PLANiFOLius, MiM. Small Flat-leaved Clulrush. 



Culm triquetrous ; leaves flat, linear, about as long as the culm ; spike oblong, compressed ; 

 scales carinale, cuspidate, the lowest one longer than the spike; nut triangular. — Muhl. 

 gram. p. 32 ; Torr. ft. 1. p. 46, ^- Cijp. p. 316 ; Bigel. Jl. Bost. p. 20 ; Beck, bot. p. 424; 

 Bart, prodr. Jl. Phil. 1. p. 33, and Jl. N. Am. ?.. t. 86. /. 1 ; Darlingt. Jl. Cest. p. 20 ; 

 Kunth, enum. 2. p. 159. Isolepis planifolia, Spreng. neue entd. 3. /}. 10. Eleocharis plani- 

 folia, Nees in Linncea, 9. p. 294. 



Culms cespitose, about a span high, rough on the angles. Leaves grass-like, carinate, rough 

 on the margin ; the lowest ones shorter and broader. Spike about one-fourth of an inch long, 

 at first lanceolate but finally raiher ovale, 6 - 7-flowcred. Scales somewhat 3-rowed, ovate- 

 lanceolate, yellowish, with a green keel, which is continued beyond the summit into a sharp 

 cusp ; the lowest one terminating in a short bristle, usually longer than the spike. Bristles 

 4-6, slender, nearl)^ as long as the achenium, somewhat hairy upward. Stamens 3. Achenium 

 oblong, dull, raiher obtuse, minutely puncliculale. Style compressed, pubescent or ciliale, 

 3-clefl, separating entirely from the achenium. 



Woods, and in bogs. Fl. June. Fr. July. A well characterized and remarkable little 

 species. 



2. SciRPUs suBTERMiNALis, Torr. Floating Cluhush. 



Culm submersed, filiform, leafy at the base ; spike oblong-lanceolate (emersed), shorter 

 than the bract at its base ; scales ovate-lanceolate ; achenium triangular, abruptly acuminated; 

 style 3-cleft. — Torr. Jl. 1. p. 47, and Cyp. p. 317; Beck, bot. p. 425 ; Kunth, enum. 2. 

 p. 173 ; Hook. Jl. Bor.-Am. 2. p. 229. 



Culm 1-3 feet long, growing under water, often roughened when dry by the irregular 

 contraction of the pith. Leaves 6-18 inches long, filiform, channelled. Spike 3-4 lines 

 long, with a narrow straight bract at the base, extending 3-8 lines l)eyond the spike, and 

 appearing like a continuation of the culm. Scales membranaceous, somewhat mucronate. 

 Bristles 6, rigid, retrorsely hispid, nearly as long as the achenium. Stamens 3. Style cleft 

 nearly half way down into 3 smooth divisions. Achenium large for the size of the spike, dark 

 brown, smooth and somewhat shining. 



Slow-flowing streams : rare. Fl. August. Fr. September. 



3. SciRPUS CiESPiTosus, Linn. ■ Scaly-stalked Clulrush. 



Culm cespitose, filiform, terete , the sheaths furnished with rudimentary leaves ; spike 

 ovoid, few-flowered ; the two lowest scales bract-like, as long as the spike ; bristles smooth ; 

 style 3-cleft; achenium obtusely triangular, acute. — Linn. sp. 1. p. 48 ; Engl. hot. t. 1029; 

 Torr. Jl. I. p. 47, and Cyp. p. 319 ; Bigel. Jl. Bost. p. 20 ; Beck, hot. p. 424 ; Kunth, 

 enum. 2 p. 159. Eleocharis caespitosa, Nees in Linncea, 9. p. 294. 



