THE TASMANIAN FLORA. 243 



StaraenB normally 3. No hypogynous bristles. Nut minute, as broad as long, 

 STib-globose to obtusely triquetrous, minutely granular to smooth. Doubtfully 

 distinct from S. savii, Seb. et Maur., of the Northern Hemisphiere. Isolepis 

 riparia, R. Br. 



Very common in damp places. Extra-tropical situations throughout both 

 Hemispheres. 



6. S. SBTACBUS, Linn. Differing from the last only in the nut being prominently 

 longitudinally striate. i- 



Reported from Tasm.ania by Gunn and Stuart ; also extra-tropical Australia. 

 Common in the Northern Hemisphere. 



6. S. CABTILAGINEUS, Sfreng. Tufted, stems numerous, filiform, 1-6 inches, 

 simple. Leaves filiform, alternate, shorter than the stem, not normally reduced 

 to the sheaths only, as in allied forms. Spikelets 1-2 lines, few together, rarely 

 solitary, terminal, subtending bracts well developed, rarely thrusting the spike- 

 lets to one side. Glumes many, small, broad, and obtuse, with a thick green 

 prominent midrib, sides sub-scarious, striate, pale, but usually spotted with dark 

 purple. Stamens normally 3. No hypogynous bristles. Nut smooth, pale or 

 dark, prominently triquetrous, rather longer than broad. liolepis cartUaginea, 

 Bi. Br. ; I. alpina, H. (included). 



Very common ; also extra-tropical Australia and Southern Hemisphere 

 generally. 



Var. propinqua. Similar in habit to the type, but more slender. Spikelet 

 about 1 line long, usually solitary, and very often thrust to one side 

 by the elongated bract. One or two of the stamens often aborted. Njit 

 about as long as the glume, often rather narrow, prominently angled, 

 smooth, gray to brown. Isolepif propinqua, Nees (not of R. Br.) 

 Very cordmon in damp situations. General distribution same as last. 



7. S. TNUNDATUS, Spreng. Habit most variable, tufted ; generally the stems 

 numerous and simple, or branched at the inflorescence or proliferous, the stem 

 then becoming stoloniferous ; others short and simple, as in forms of S. carti- 

 lagineus ; others, again, simple, elongated, and very slender, with the appearance 

 of even slender forms of S. setacevg. Leaves generally reduced to the sheathing 

 bases, but laminae sometimes present. Spikelets mostly about 2 lines long, 

 generally few together, in a cluster, sometimes solitary. Glumes generally rather 

 numerous, broad and obtuse, with a prominent green nerve that is produced into 

 a point, and sub-scarious, coarsely striated, pale, or more generally purple. 

 Stamens usually solitary. Nut prominently 3-angled or the dorsal angle obtuse, 

 pale, smooth, or shining. Isolepis prolifera. Hook. ; I. gaudichaudiana, Kunth. 



Very common, chiefLy in water, or mud. It occurs throughout Eastern 

 and Southern Australia, and extends to New Zealand. 



8. S. NODOSITS, Rotib. Stems from a creeping rhizome, usually appearing 

 tufted, simple, 1-2 feet high, generally somewhat flattened. Leaves reduced to 

 few basal sheathing scales. Spikelets brown, about 2 lines long, numerous, in a 

 spherical head, about | inch diameter, terminal, but thrown to one side by the 

 subtending bract appearing to continue the stem. Glumes rather numerous, the 

 midrib thickened and usually prominent. Stamens usually 3. Style-branches 3. 

 Nut broad, obtusely 3-angled, the dorsal angle very obtuse, polished. Isolepis 

 nodosa, R. Br. 



Very common in sandy places on the coasts ; also throughout extra-tropical 

 Australia, and widely distributed throughout the temperate parts of tde Southern 

 Hemisphere. 



9. S. PUNGENS, Vahl. Rhizome creeping. Stems erect, simple, 3-angled, 

 generally under 2 feet high. Leaves few, at the base and on the stem, flat but 

 sharply keeled, usually shorter than the stem. Spikelets ^-^ inch long, few 



