REPORT OK THE STATE BOTANIST 173 



4 Culms weak, recurved or reclining 5 



4 Culms erect or spreading , Peckii. 



6 Radical spikes present deflexa. 



5 Radical spikes wanting Emmonsii. 



6 Staminate spike about ^" wide, the lowest pistillate 



spike with a long slender green bract Novae-Anglise. 



6 Staminate spike more than ^" wide 7 



1 Plant stoloniferous, scales of pistillate spikes com- 

 monly brown or purplish Pennsylvanica. 



7 Plant not stoloniferous, scales of pistillate spikes 



commonly greenish or tawny varia. 



84. Carex umbellata Schk. 



Stems 2'--4' hi^h, erect, growing in dense tufts from strong 

 fibrous roots, somewhat stoloniferous ; leaves 2'-10' long, about 

 V wide, flat, or sometimes involute, rough, stiff, erect or spread- 

 ing ; staminate spike clavate, ^'--^ in length, rarely with a pistillate 

 spike at its base ; pistillate spikes in clusters of 2 or 3 on stems 

 ^'--2' long ; usually level topped, 3 -8 flowered ; perigynia ovoid or 

 triangular-obovate, nerveless, lightly pubescent, green or turn- 

 ing to brownish with age, with an abrupt flattish bidentate 

 beak, usually covered by the ovate pointed scale. 



Dry or sandy soil and rocky places. Common. May, June. 



The umbel-like clusters of pistillate spikes suggest the name of 

 this species. They are often half concealed b\" the leaves. 



Var. vicina Dew. A form with 1 or 2 fertile spikes at the 

 base of the sterile spike. 



It is found with the typical form. 



85. Carex Pennsylvanica Lain. 



Stoloniferous; stems 6'-18' high, slender, erect or spreading, 

 rough or smooth, basal sheaths purplish or dull brown, fibrillose ; 

 leaves mostly about the length of the culm but sometimes ex- 

 ceeding it, ^"-ly wide, rough-margined, bright or dull green, 

 erect or diffuse ; staminate spike clul) sha]>ed, 5 '-9' long, usually 

 sessile, scales oblong obtuse or ])ointed, brown, or blackish brown ; 

 pistillate spikes 1-4, usually 3, globular or oblong, densely or 

 loosely flowered, the upper 2 contiguous, sessile, the lowest 2" (^ 

 distant, sessile or slightly stalked, bracts scale-like acute or 



