CYPERACEjE. 



249 



We shall describe one species of each of five genera. 



1. CYPE'RIJS III I MUM >. 



The plant (Fig. 256) is from 4 to 10 inches in height. The culm 

 is triangular, leafy towards the base, but naked above. At the 

 summit there 

 is an umbel 

 the rays of 

 which are 

 unequal in 

 length, and 

 on each ray 

 are clustered 

 several flat 

 brown colour- 

 ed spikes, the scales of 

 which are imbricated in 

 two distinct rows. At the 

 base of the umbel there 

 are 3 leaves of very un- 

 equal length, forming a 

 sort of involucre, and the 

 base of each ray of the 

 umbel is sheathed. In 

 each spike every scale ex- 

 cept the lowest one con- 

 tains a flower in its axil. 

 The flower (Figs. 257 and 

 258) is entirely destitute of 

 perianth, and consists of 2 

 stamens and an ovary sur- 

 mounted by a 2-cleft style, 

 being consequently perfect. 

 The plant is pretty easily 

 met with in low wet places. 



Fig. 256. 



Fig, 258. 



