■250 THE TASMAKIAN FLORA. 



spikelets then forming small, distant, rathef dense, heads. Spikelets numerous, 

 dark brown, about 1 ^ line long, more or less pedicelled, each subtended by a 

 narrow aristate bract. Outer empty glumes about 4, the keel prolonged into a 

 short point. Flowers 2 ; the lower one male, with 3 or 4 stamens ; the upper one 

 perfect, above which is an empty fjlume. Wut as in G. trifida, but the filaments 

 are semi-deciduous, and consequently do not support the nut, as in that species. 

 Mathinna, Swanport, George's Bay, &c. 



The species, though very difEerent in general aspect, is close to G. trifida, 

 Lab. The second flower and deciduous condition of the filaments, 

 besides details of .'general character, are constant in the very numerous 

 specimens I have examined. 



3. G. RADULA, Benth. Stems erect, mostly 2-3 feet high, on a creeping 

 rhizome, but not tufted, as in allied species. Leaves flat, with long subulate 

 points, the margin scabrous and involute, lower ones about as long as the stems, 

 the stem-leaves gradually passin" into the floral bracts. Panicle 6-12 inches 

 long, much-branched, but the branches erect. Spikelets dark brown, numerous, 

 free from one another, in linear spikes or racemes, narrow, 2-3 lines long, 

 2-flowered, the upper one alone developing fruit. Glumes about 7 or 8, the 

 middle ones keeled and acute, the inner ones becomini; short, broad, obtuse, and 

 closely enveloping the flowers. Stamens 3. Nut obovoid, 1 line long, obtusely 

 3-angled, dark, nearly black. Cladium radula, R. Br. ; G. melanocarpa, Hook. 

 " Fl. Tas.," biit not the plant so named by R. Br. 



Common on dry heaths, especially in the south ; also in Victoria. South 

 Australia, and New South Wales. 



4. G. PSITTACORUM, JLab. Stems numerous, erect, in dense tufts, mostly 5 or 6 

 feet high. Leaves long, narrow, scabrous, margins involute. Panicle 1-2 feet 

 long, loose, spreading, the branches erect at first, drooping when in fruit. 

 Spikelets dark brown, pedunculate, 3 or 4 lines long. Glumes numerous, very 

 obtuse. A male flower developed close below the fertile one, but often 

 rudimentary. Stamens 4-6. Filaments long and persistent. Style-branches 

 normally 4. Nut about 1.^ line long, red, and polished in most Tasmanian 

 specimens. Cladium psittacorum, F. v. M. 



Very common, chiefly in damp places ; also throughout Eastern and Southern 

 Australia. 



5. G. GRAMINIFOLIA, Rod. A small densely-tufted plant, forming tanglfed 

 masses, 1-2 feet diameter. Stems very short, seldom exceeding 3 inches, 

 numerous, from a much-branched rhizome. Leaves flat, grassy, and spreading, 

 3-8 inches long, 2 lines wide, but subulate towards the apex, in the dried state 

 the margins involute, the sheathing base arising from a thickened node, split, 

 and bearing a distinct ligule at the orifice. Panicle short, few-flowered, hidden 

 among the leaves. Spikelets few, distant, or in distant clusters, pale and 

 succulent when in flower, 2 lines long. Flower solitary. Glumfes usually 5, 



2 outer ones lanceolate and obtuse, 3 inner ones nearly orbicular, the flowering glume 

 very short and closely enveloping. Stamen solitary. Anther innate. Filament 

 long, sub-persistent. Style long, slender, divided nearly to the base into 



3 branches. Nut ovoid-oblong, 1-1^ line long, nearly black, polished, obscurely 

 3-angled. 



Common on hills from Huon Road to Mount Nelson. 



13. CAUSTIS. 

 Spikelet with a single terminal flower, and often a male or rudimentary flower 

 below it. Glumes 3 or 4, inserted all round the rhachis, the inner one longest. 

 Hypogynous bristles none. Stamens 3-6. Style continuous with the ovary. Base 



