CYPERACEiE. 261 



Carex. L. 19. 3. Sedge Grass. 



From the Latin to icant, because the upper flowers or spikes 

 are so often destitute of seeds. The flowers are divided into bar- 

 ren and fertile, usually on the same plant, often on the same 

 spikelet, and often on separate spikes. 



This is a very extensive genus, a host by itself. One hundred 

 and sixty-four species, besides many varieties, and the union of 

 several heretofore considered distinct, are credited to North 

 America in the " Mod. Cyp." by Dr. Torrey. Eighty-six 

 species are enumerated in the u Geology," as found in this State, a 

 number probably not too large. It is everywhere a coarse grass, 

 and some are very coarse and rough. In the young state, most 

 of the species are eaten by cattle, and many are made into coarse 

 hay mingled w r ith the proper grasses, while none are cultivated for 

 that purpose. The species are found in all situations ; some de- 

 light in cold and Alpine districts, and some in the warm soil of 

 valleys ; some never leave the woods, some seem to dwell in rich 

 cultivated fields, and some flourish as the borderers between these 

 two ; some, as C. arenaria, grow only on sand, and become of 

 great use in fixing the movable sands ; some never forsake marshes 

 and fens, ponds and pools. The flowers are without beauty, in 

 rather close masses and spikes, with the fertile flowers in various 

 positions, often at considerable distance, at least from the sterile 

 ones. The seed is entirely enveloped in a loose, strong cover- 

 ing, chaff-like, but without divisions, and which falls off with it. 

 The plants vary in size, from an inch or two in height, to 1 - 3 

 feet, and sometimes 8 feet high ; but the seed or nut does not 

 vary in proportion, and is always small ; in some species it is 

 flattish, or lens-like, and in others triangular or 3-sided. 



Glumes single, 1 -flowered, arranged in a close spike, or ament, 

 usually monoecious, with a persistent and 1-valved perianth inclos- 

 ing the coriaceous nut or seed. 



Botanists differ somewhat in the number of the species of this 

 genus. 



Some of the species have 2 stigmas, or a biparted stigma, and 

 others 3, or a 3-parted one ; and this fact forms a very natural 



