115 



CYPERACE^. 



(Sedge Family.) 



Note. — The following list of sedges and also that of the grasses will 

 be found quite large and perhaps nearly complete. These veiy useful 

 and interesting plants are too often neglected by the student, and 

 what is most singular, the people of the country towns are seldom 

 familiar with any considerable number of species. Frequently, per- 

 sons are met with who do not distinguish between the two orders, 

 not knowing which are sedges and which are grasses. The writer is 

 indebted to Mr. Woodbury P. Conant, of Wenham, and Mr. Chas. E. 

 Faxon, of Boston, for valuable assistance in determining the more 

 difficult species, particularly those of the genus Carex. 



Cyperus diandrus, To^r. 

 Shores of rivers and ponds. Common. 



Cyperus Ifuttallil, Torr. 

 Sandy places, near salt water. 



Cyperus Engelmanni, Steud. 

 Borders of Fresh pond, Cambridge (C. E. Faxon). 



Cyperus erythrorhizos, Muhl. 

 Near the city of Lawrence. Abundant along the shore of the Mer- 

 rimac, above the dam. First noticed (J. K.), Sept. 26, 1877. 

 Perhaps introduced with cotton brought to the mills at Lowell, or 

 above, upon the same river. Common at the south. 



Cyperus dentatus, Torr. 

 Plum Island, West Gloucester, Lawrence, and along the shores of 

 the Merrimac. Frequent. 



Cyperus phymatodes, Muhl. 

 Frequent. Natural to low grounds. There Is a serious danger Jhat 

 this plant may become the pest here, which its cogener, Cyperus 

 rotundus, has become at the south, where several plantations have 

 been abandoned to It. C. phymatodes will readily establish itself in 

 cultivated fields; it has been particularly noticed at Danvers and 

 West Newbury. At the latter town, Mr. W. P. Conant finds that, 

 when once established, the plant will form, about ten Inches below 

 the surface of the ground, a mat of roots, underground stems, and 

 tubers, which, being below the usual ploughing, remain undistufoed 

 throughout the season, several yards and fields being already/j^er- 

 run by this very persistent perennial sedge. Unless some imme- 

 diate and radical means are resorted to, this plant is likely to rival 

 the White weed, or the more recently introduced Cone flower, as a 

 farm nuisance. 



Cyperus strigosus, L. 

 Moist places. Common. 



