MICHIGAN WEEDS. 



303 



SEDGE FAMILY. CYPERACEAE. 



A large family of grass-like or rush-like plants including about 3,000 species widely distributed over 

 the world, nearly all of which are of little or no value to the farmer. Most of them thrive in 

 marshes or on wet land. The leaves of sedges are placed one above or within the other on three 

 sides of the stem, while the leaves on a straight stem of a grass plant are placed on two sides of the 

 stem. _Some sedges are cut and cured making hay of very poor quality, known as marsh hay. 



* 



Fig. 25 (26). 



Yellow Nut. Grass. Cyperus esculentus L. 

 Sedges are very difficult of identification except 

 by an expert. The cut gives a good idea of 

 the top of a moderate sized plant, 30-70 cm. 

 high. Perennial by root stocks bearing tubers, 

 one shown in the figure at b. Sometimes 

 troublesome on low land. Remedy for the 

 destruction of most all sedges is thorough 

 drainage of the land. 



Fig. 26 (27). 



Ovoid Spike Rush. Elcocharis ovata 

 (Roth.) R. & S. A slender, tufted annual, 

 6-40 cm. high; each stem bearing at its base 

 several short leaf sheaths and at top a single 

 egg-shaped spike, 2-7 mm. long. Very variable. 

 Sometimes troublesome in wet land, as are also 

 to some extent several other species much 

 resembling this one, except in size and shape 

 of the spike. Widely distributed. To get rid 

 of it, drain the land. 



