CLII. CYPERACE^. 172T 



aspect the Eestiacete or still more frequently the Graminese, but usually stiffer 

 than the latter with solid or very rarely slightly hollow stems. When perennial 

 the rhizomes often emit short stolons covered with short sheathing scales, but 

 rarely present in dried specimens taken at the time of flowering. Leaves chiefly 

 at the base of the stem, the outer or radical ones dilated at the base into open 

 sheaths or reduced to sheathing scales in continuation of those of the rhizome, 

 the inner ones as well as the stem-leaves when present embracing the stem with 

 closed tubular sheaths, the lamina usually narrow and grass-like, and sometimes 

 the stems quite leafless except a few sheathing scales at the base. Spikelets 

 either solitary or clustered and terminal or apparently lateral from the subtending 

 erect bract apparently continuing the stem, or variously collected in simple or 

 compound spikes umbels or panicles ; when umbellate irregularly so, one spikelet 

 cluster or partial umbel being always sessile, whilst the others are supported on 

 peduncles or rays of unequal length. The whole inflorescence its branches and 

 the individual spikelets almost always subtended by bracts, the lower ones often 

 long and resembling the stem leaves, the others gradually smaller, the inner ones 

 and sometimes all small and glume-like. 



A large Order, abundantly distributed all over the globe, but more especially in moist 

 situations on the edges of waters, 



Tbiee I. Scirpeae. — Spikelets solitary clnstered capitate or umbellate, with several often 

 numerous hermaphrodite flowers rarely (except in Kyllinga) reduced to 2 or 1. Empty glumes 

 at the lase usually only 1 or 2. Hypogynous bristles or scales when present filiform or flat. 



(Empty {»lumes 3 or 4 and flowers 2 or 3 in Fimbristylis cyperoides.) 



Spikelets clustered or spieate, the clusters or spikes solitary or in simple or 

 compound umbels. Glumes distichous. Style not bulbous. No hypogynous 

 bristles . . • 1. Cypeeus. 



Spikelets small in a dense simple or lobed head or short spike, with 1 rarely 

 2 flowers. Two inner glumes enclosing the nut and falling off with it. . 2. Kyllinga. , 



Spikelet solitary. Glumes imbricate all round. Hypogynous bristles usually 

 present. Nut crowned by the persistent dilated base of the style ... 3. Heleochaeis. 



Spikelets solitary clnstered or umbellate. Glumes imbricate all round or 

 distichous. No hypogynous bristles. Style thickened or bulbous at the 

 base but articulate on the nut ■ .... 4. Fimekistylis. 



Spikelets solitary or clustered, often lateral, or in a compound umbel. Glumes 

 imbricate all round. Style continuous with the nut. Hypogynous bristles 

 present or not 5. Scikpus. 



Spikelets clustered, the clusters usually paniculate. Glumes imbricate all 

 round, Hypogynous scales 3, flat 6. Fuikena. 



Spikelets in a terminal head or cluster. Glumes imbricate all round. 

 Hypogynous scales 2, flat and parallel with the glume . 7. Lipocaepha. 



(18. ScHCENUs has sometimes very nearly the characters of Cyperus.) 



Teiee II. Kypolytreae. — Spikelets solitary clustered or paniculate, with several usually, 

 numerous flotoers all hermaphrodite or some male only. Glumes imbricate all round, several of the 

 lowest usually empty. Flowers taitliin the glumes flat, with 2 complicate keeled hypogynous scaleSy 

 and often flat linear ones within them. 



No flat scales within the 2 keeled ones. Stamens 3 or fewer. Spikelets 



capitate or paniculate 8. Hypolyteum^ 



Four flat scales within the 2 keeled ones. Stamens 3. Nut included. 



Spikelets rather large (paniculate in the Australian species) 9. Mapania. 



Several flat scales within the 2 keeled ones. Stamens 6. Nut large, very 



prominently ribbed and furrowed. Spikelets clustered in a dense panicle 10. Sciepodendeos. 

 Two flat scales within the 2 keeled ones. Stamens 3. Nut wholly exserted. 



Spikelets small paniculate 11. Fxocaeya. 



Numerous flat scales within the 2 keeled ones. Stamens 6 or more. Spikelet 

 solitary, lateral. 

 Spikelet ovoid, or oblong. Glumes loosely imbricate concealing the inner 



scales 12. Lefibonia. 



Spikelet globular or ovoid. Glumes loosely imbricate disclosing the inner 



scales 13. Choeisandba... 



