AQUATIC PLANTS. 



143 



-this on account of its singular character. It forms 

 losettes of narrow serrated olive-green leaves about 

 a foot long, and these are anchored to the hottom by- 

 means of long roots; they rise to the surface to 



flowers are white, but not attractive. June to 

 August. Hydroeharidece. 



Typha (Reed-mace, Bulrush). — T. latifolia is the 

 cdmmon Buhnish, of which the cylindrical brown 



TiPHA LATIFOLIA, 



flower in summer, but sink again afterwards. Clear 

 water is best for the beauty of this plant, as other- 

 wise sediment is deposited on the leaves. In a green- 

 house tank we have seen very attractive specimens. 

 It increases itself by offsets, but is not always easy 

 to establish, though sometimes it increases rapidly. 

 It grows chiefly in the East of England, in fen 

 ditches, and is a native of Europe and Siberia,. The 



spikes are often prized for room decoration, associated 

 with Pampas-grass and similar dry ornaments. It is 

 an extremely ornamental subject for ponds, where 

 the tall waving leaves afford a distinct and pleasing 

 effect. The leaves grow from a creeping rhizome m 

 two opposite rows, they are an inch or more broad, 

 and three to six feet long. The spike-bearing stems 

 about equal the leaves in length, and the spikes are 



