1692 CXLIV. TYPHACE^. 



a membranous testa, and mealy albumen. Embryo axile, linear, straight, with 

 a superior radicle. — Eeed-like marsh or aquatic herbs, with long-linear parallel- 

 veined leaves, sheathing at the base. 



The Order is limited to the two genera represented in Queensland and both of them widely 

 distributed over the globe, especially in temperate regions. ' 



Flowers in cylindrical spikes, the females enveloped in a soft dense copious 



down formed of numerous long capillary bristles 1. Typha. 



Flowers in globular heads, the ovaries surrounded by about 6 linear scales 

 or perianth-segments 2. Seabganiom. 



1. TYPHA, Linn. 



(From the habitat of the plant ; found in marshes.) 



Spikes cylindrical, the upper male portion contiguous with the lower female 

 portion, or separated from it by a bare interval. Stamens in the male -portion 

 intermixed with filiform or slightly spathulate scales. Ovaries in the female 

 portion surrounded by tufts of long hairs, affixed to the stipes, falling off with 

 the fruit and assuming the aspect of a pappus at its base. 



The genus consists of very few species widely spread over the temperate regions of the globe,, 

 especially in the northern hemisphere, and found also within the tropics both in the New and 

 the Old World. 



1. T. angustifolia (leaves narrow), Linn.; Kuntli. Enum. iii. 9 ; Benth. Fl. 

 Austr. vii. 159. Bullrush. Stems erect, 2 to 8ft. high. Leaves often as long as 

 or longer than the stems, mostly about 3 lines but sometimes above 4 lines broad, 

 the dilated margins of the lower ones forming a sheath of 6in. to 1ft. Female 

 spike a soft dense brown cylindrical cushion, 3 to 5 or rarely 6in. long, 3 or 

 4 lines diameter at the time the male is in flower, thickening out to f or nearly 

 lin. diameter as the fruit ripens. Male spike usually at an interval of J to lin. 

 from the female, very rarely close above it. Male flowers consisting o* 2 or 

 3 linear anthers sessile on a short common stipes, the cells crowned by the 

 hemispherical end of the connective, the flowers surrounded by filiform or slightly 

 spathulate scales shorter than the anthers. Ovaries in the female spike fusiform, 

 concealed as well as the fruits among the long hairs irregularly inserted on the 

 short stipes, and tapering into a style rarely as long as those hairs. Fruits 

 small, obovoid or fusiform, contracted into a stipes, the thin membranous 

 pericarp free from the seed.— E. Br. Prod. 838 ; Hook. f. Fl. Tasm. ii. 39. 



Hab.: Moreton Island, M'GiJZwro^/; Bockhampton, T/ioxet and others; common throughout 

 the State in still water. 



Young leaves and roots eaten by natives of Mitchell Eiver ; they also use the stems for reed 

 spears. — Palmer. 



In the early days of South Australia the females spikes were collected and sold under th& 

 name of " Murray Down " for stuffing pillows, etc. — Bail. 



The species is generally distributed -over the area of the genus. 



2. SPARGANIUM, Linn. 



(Referring to the ribbon-like leaves.) 



Flowers in globular heads distant from each other along the rhachis one or 

 more upper ones male and sessile, the lower ones female and sessile or the lowest 

 pedunculate. Stamens in the males though very closely packed yet more or less 

 distinctly in threes, surrounded by about 6 linear or spathulate scales ; anthers 

 small, oblong or linear, on filaments longer than the scales. Ovaries in the 

 females nearly sessile, each surrounded by about 6 linear scales, tapering into a. 



