CYPERACE^. 255 



short leaves ; a common, large, leafy, tough grass, abounding 

 about pools and sluggish waters ; August ; scarcely eaten by 

 cattle. 



Cyperus. L. 3. 1. 



A genus of plants of little beauty or apparent utility, though 

 the species are pretty numerous. Eleven species are found in 

 this State. 



.Spikelets compressed, distinct, 2-rowed ; style falling off early ; 

 nut 1, without bristles. 



C. flavcscens. L. Yellow Sedge Grass. Culm 4-10 inches 

 high, with upper leaves tall as the culm ; flowers umbel-like with 

 short and unequal rays ; grows about marshes in this country and 

 Europe ; plant yellowish. 



C. strigosus. L. Grows in low grounds, often more than a 

 foot high, and with an umbel nearly simple ; spikelets of many 

 flowers ; August and September. 



C. mariscoides, Ell., in Bigelow's Flora. Considered to 

 be C filiculmis, Vahl., by Dr. Torrey; and C. castaneus, Big., 

 to be a variety of C. Jlavescens. 



C. poceformis. Ph. Abounds in cold, wet, sandy places, on 

 the declivities of elevations, and beside roads, with a stem 3-6 

 inches high, with reddish-brown, flat spikelets ; forms a dense, 

 close-matted covering of the earth, preventing the washing of the 

 sand. 



C. Grayii, Tor., in Mon. Cyp., sp. 21. Was found by Mr. 

 Oakes in Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Torrey. 



C. diandrus, T., C. Nuttalii, T., C. dentatus, T., C. inflex- 

 ws, Muhl., are also found. 



The species of Cyperus are far more numerous at the South, 

 and are generally not employed in agriculture or the arts. The 

 roots are rather succulent, and contain a pleasant mucilage. Lind. 



