32 BULLETIN 545, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



2. The stems of grasses are generally hollow, cylindrical, and 

 jointed, the leaves 2-ranked, and the leaf sheaths usually split. 



Rushes (J uncus and Juncoides) are readily distinguished from 

 grasses and sedges by: 



1 . The flowers of rushes are regular and, though diminutive, simi- 

 lar in form to those of a lily, having a perianth composed of six 

 bractlike scales, and with three to many small seeds borne in a capsule 

 or small pod. 



2. The flowers of grasses and sedges are not symmetrical, the 

 perianth being irregular and inconspicuous or obsolete, and are sub- 

 tended by husklike scales, each flower producing but a single seed. 



Sedges and Rushes. 



It is the general opinion among ranchers that, as compared with 

 grasses, sedges and rushes are of low nutritive value. This idea is 

 generally true, but when a grass species occupying a typical marshy 

 bog is compared with sedges and rushes from a similar situation 

 chemical analysis has shown that the food value differs but little. 

 Practically all species of moist habitats are somewhat too succulent 

 or "washy," notably in the spring of the year, and while they are 

 eaten with relish at that time they are doubtless more nutritious 

 later in the season. 



A thousand or more species of sedges (Carex) have been described. 

 They are widely distributed and are most abundant in temperate 

 regions. In the United States approximately 500 species are found, 

 about half of which occur in the Western States. The rush genus 

 (Juncus) contains over 200 species. 



Tall Swamp Sedge. 

 (Carex exsiccata.) 



Because of its abundance, density of stand, and height growth, 

 this species is one of the best-known sedges on the Wallowa National 

 Forest. It ranges from 1^ to 3 feet in height, has coarse leafy culms, 

 and broad, thick, flat leaves of a light-green color. The spikes, 

 developed sometimes as much as 4 inches below the staminate 

 flower clusters, are very short-stalked (Plate XXVI). The root 

 system is somewhat meager, and new growth takes place abundantly 

 through stolons and rootstocks. 



The drought tests showed that this plant wilted destructively 

 when the rich organic soil in which it grows contained, in the one 

 case, 22.5 per cent of moisture and in the other 24 per cent. Ob- 

 viously, therefore, the species is distinctly of the marsh type. In 

 most perennial bogs, preferably in saturated soils, it grows pure, to 

 the exclusion of other species (Plate XXVII). 



