526 FLORA OF TEXAS. 



ones sessile on the upper part of the spadix, the fertile on 

 slender stalks ; style filiform ; stigma lateral ; embryo cylin- 

 drical, in the axis of fleshy albumen. Stems straight, from 

 a thick rhizoma, clothed below with the sheathing bases 

 of the elongated linear leaves j spathes bract-like and de- 

 ciduous, or none. 



T. LATIFOLIA, L. Stetn terete, jointed below; leaves 

 nearly as long as the stem, erect, flat, reticulated and some- 

 what glaucous; sterile and fertile portions of the spadix 

 contiguous, cylindrical. Margins of ponds and rivers. 

 July and August. Stem 4°-^° high, scape-like above; 

 leaves about 1' wide; spadix about 1° long. — T. angusti- 

 folia, L., if found within our limits, may be known by nar- 

 rower leaves which are channeled near tlie base, and by the 

 interval which separates the sterile and fertile portions of 

 the spadix. 



SPARGANIUM, L. Bur-reed. 



Floiuers densely crowded in globular heads, surrounded 

 by several scales like a calyx; the upper heads sterile, 

 naked, the lower fertile and commonly bracted; ovary ses- 

 sile, pointed by the short persistent style ; stigma lateral ; 

 fruit nut-like; emlryo cylindrical, in the axis of fleshy 

 albumen. — Marsh or aquatic pla7its, with erect steins, and 

 long strap-shaped sessile leaves, the lowest ones sheathing ; 

 heads of flowers scattered. 



S. RAMOSUM, Huds. ? Leaves flat, obtuse, the upper ones 

 gradually shorter, concave and clasping at the base, the 

 lower sheathing and elongated; heads 5-9, disposed in 

 axillary and terminal interrupted spikes, the lowest one 

 larger and pistillate, the others wholly staminate; scales 

 wedge-shaped ; stigma subulate, simple. (S. Americanum, 

 Ell.) Lagoons and ditches. July. Stem 2°-3° high; 

 leaves as long as the stem, 8"-12" wide ; heads of fertile 

 flowers 8"-10" in diameter. 



