476 BOTANY pa»bt ii 



to the lateral axes and flowers. They usually constitute the most 

 noticeable part of the inflorescence, particularly when, as in many true 

 Grasses, they are prolonged into an awn (arista). The inconspicuous 

 colour of the inflorescence, the gentle swaying movements of the anthers 

 pendent from the long filaments hanging down between the bracts, the 

 abundant dry pollen, and the well -developed papillae on the large 

 stigmas are all directly correlated with the wind-pollination common 

 to all Glumifiorae (Fig. 421). 



As in most thick small-flowered inflorescences, the individual 

 flowers of the Glumifiorae are simply constructed, evidently in this case 

 in consequence of reduction. In none of the flowers of this order is 

 the regular Monocotyledonous type presented in an unmodified form ; in 

 all, at least one or the other of the whorls is entirely suppressed. The 

 perigone, no longer exercising its protective office, now assumed by the 

 bracts, consists only of bristles, or is altogether absent. The andrce- 

 cium has sometimes all the six stamens, but usually, by the 

 suppression of the inner whorl, it is reduced to three ; the gyncecium 

 may also possess the full number of three carpels, although generally 

 only two are present. In most cases a dry, indehiscent fruit 

 (caryopsis) is produced, with one seed containing a mealy albumen. 



A similar grass-like habit is shown by other Monocotyledons, especially by the 

 Juncaceae, Typhaceae, Sparganiaceae, which were on that account formerly regarded 

 as the nearest allies to the Grasses ; the structure of their flowers, however, has 

 assigned them to another position in the system of classification. Of the two families 

 now forming this order, the Cyperaceae have suffered less reduction in the structure 

 of their flowers than the Cramineae. The latter do not appear to have been derived 

 from the Cyperaceae by a continued process of reduction ; on the contrary, both 

 Cyperaceae and Gramineae constitute independent branches of a no longer existing 

 ancestral stock. 



Family Cyperaceae. — Flowers usually diclinous, naked or with 

 reduced perigone ; ovary di- or trimerous with Anatropous ovules. 

 Pericarp not adherent to the seed ; embryo without scutIdllum, 

 and enclosed in endosperm. Herbs with "triangular axes, and 

 not hollow, rarely segmented tnto internodes ; leaves often three- 

 raVfUed, with closed leaf- sheaths, and either with> or without a 

 reduced ligule. Inflorescences of varying character, usually without 

 bracteoles (Fig. 417). 



The Cyperaceae are, for the most part, perennial herbs with pro- 

 fusely branched rhizomes and stiff or hard, sharp-edged leaves. The 

 rhizome gives rise to tufts of sterile leaves, together with fertile 

 shoots, which, according as the branches of the rhizome are long or 

 short, cover extended areas or form isolated groups. At the base of 

 the fertile shoots the internodes are short, while the whole upper 

 portion of the shoot consists of but one internode, which is greatly 

 elongated and bears the inflorescence. The inflorescences are variously 

 constructed, sometimes a simple spike, sometimes compound, consisting 



