Classification of Plants 



245 



in spikelets. Stamens 3; anthers basifixed, 2-cened; ovary 

 I -celled ; fruit an achene. 



Cyperus. — Glumes in two ranks. C. textilis, Thunb. (Mat- 

 jesgoed), is used for thatching and baskets. The tubers of C. 

 esculentus, Drege., are eaten by natives of the north. 



I. II. 



Fig. 220. — I. Staminate flower. II. Pistillate flower of Carex. (From 

 Tliom^ and Bennett's " Structural and Physiological Botany.") 



Carex. — Glumes overlapping, placed all around the stem. 

 The flowers are usually imperfect. 



Order Graminace.e, the Grass Family. 



Stem cylindrical or compressed (not 3-angled), hollow (not 

 in Indian corn or sugar cane), with solid nodes. Leaves 2- 

 ranked, sheath split, ligule present. Flowers in the axils of 

 glumes ; perianth of two minute lodicules ; stamens 3 (some- 

 times 6) ; anthers versatile. Fruit an achene (caryopsis). 



The number of genera of this large order found in South 

 Africa is not great. In temperate regions grasses are low and 

 spreading ; in tropical countries the canes and bamboos form 

 tall forests ; while in dry regions grasses usually grow in tufts, 

 which allow the bare ground to be seen between them. 



This order is one of the most important groups of plants. 

 To it belong all the grains — wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, and 



