CYPERACE^ 293 



Asia, and America. Extinct in Britain(?), it having formerly been 

 found near Forfar. 



Eriophorum vaginatum L. (Plate V.) 



Like E. Scheuchzeri, but taller and with more numerous leaves 

 which are rough at the edges, while those of that species are soft 

 and smooth. The root is not stoloniferous, and the stems are in 

 compact tufts and furnished with broad sheaths at the base, with 

 only a very short blade. Leaves linear, almost subulate, shorter 

 than the stem. Spikelet solitary, terminal, ovoid, of a deep olive- 

 green. Silky bristles very numerous, at length forming white, 

 cottony tufts about an inch in diameter. These tufts are nearly 

 globular as in the last species. 



Turfy bogs and wet places from the plains up to the high moun- 

 tains. May to July. 



Distribution. — Northern and Central Europe ; Caucasus ; 

 Siberia, North America. Common in the British Isles. 



Eriophorum angustifolium Roth. [E. polystachyon L. part.). 



Stem 1-2 feet high. Root creeping, stoloniferous. Leaves few, 

 shorter than the stem, channelled, and more or less triangular. 

 Flowers in a terminal umbel of several spikelets, some almost sessile, 

 others stalked and drooping. Outer bracts rather leafy. Silky 

 bristles very numerous, forming oval, cottony tufts, i-ij inch in 

 length. 



Bogs and wet places, from the plains up to the lower mountains. 

 May to July. 



Distribution. — The commonest species in Europe, Northern Asia, 

 and North America. British. 



SCHCENUS L. 



Stiff and rush-like herbs. Glumes in 2 opposite rows. Spikelets 

 in compressed terminal bracteate heads. Flowers few, bisexual. 

 Bristles 1-6. Stamens 3. 



Schcsnus nigricans L. 



Tufted with stiff, rush -like stems, 12-18 inches high. Leaves 

 short, stiff, almost radical, with dark, glossy brown sheaths. 

 Spikelets dark shining brown or almost black, sessile, in compact, 

 terminal heads, with 2 or 3 broad, brown bracts, one of which has a 

 stiff, erect needle nearly an inch long. Glumes pointed, keeled, and 

 rough at the border. 



Marshes, in a variety of situations, and mountain bogs. May, 

 June. 



Distribution. — Europe, Caucasus, Western Asia, N. Africa. 

 British. 



