The Book of Grasses 



COTTON-GRASSES. (Eridphorum) 



Where the arethusas and pogonias hide their fragrant flowers 

 among low sedges the Slender Cotton-grass (Eridphorum grdcile) 

 rises above the smaller growth, and to the purple of the 

 wild iris and the deep colour of the large blossoms of pitcher- 

 plants this sedge offers the contrast of flowers clothed in shining 

 white. 



The Cotton-grasses — in reality Cotton-sedges — are most 

 easy of recognition, since in the common species the blossoms at 

 maturity are surrounded by long, silky hairs. 



Slender Cotton-grass blooms at least a month earlier than the 

 Virginian Cotton-grass {Eridphorum virginicum), and as the level 

 light of sunset lies across the meadows of late spring the plumes of 

 this earlier species glisten with added lustre, and the marsh which 

 was so desolate in winter, so golden with marsh marigolds in April, 

 is abloom in frosted silver. 



The Virginian Cotton-grass, from one to four feet in height, is 

 common from Canada to Florida. In this larger species the 

 spikelets are more densely clustered than are the spikelets of 

 Slender Cotton-grass, and the hairs composing the perianth are 

 usually rusty brown or tawny in colour. 



Certain species of this genus have been used in interesting ex- 

 periments in which thread has been spun and firm cloth made 

 from the silky hairs of the spikelets, but the fibre is short, and the 

 attempt to bring the hairs into use as a substitute for cotton was 

 soon abandoned. Where Cotton-grasses grow in abundance on 

 the moorlands of Scotland the poorer people formerly found a use 

 for the down in making candle and lamp wicks. 



BEAKED-RUSHES. (Rhynchdspora) 



Sated with the brilliancy of Fire-weed and flaming lilies one 

 turns to search for less commonly known plants, and then one may 

 notice in low grounds and near the borders of swampy thickets, 

 slender stems of the Beaked-rushes bearing flower clusters of white, 

 green, or rich brown crowned with white stigmas and pale anthers. 

 A perianth is usually present in the form of rough bristles, and 

 aside from the more noticeable characteristics of growth the plants 

 of this genus may be recognized by the beaked seeds to which the 

 common name refers. 



Beaked-rushes are common during midsummer, and even 



302 



