RUSH FAMILY 497 



simple stem, bearing 4 whorled, net-veined leaves, and a solitary, 

 terminal, green, generally 4-merous flower, succeeded by a berry- 

 like fruit. (Name from the Latin par, equal, on account of the 

 equal number of leaves in the several whorls.) 



1. P. quadrifblia (Herb-Paris, True-Love Knot). — The only 

 British species, a singular plant, about a foot high, with 4 large, 

 ovate, acute leaves ; a rather large flower with narrow perianth- 

 leaves and a black, 4-chambered berry. — Woods ; rather local. — 

 Fl. May, June. Perennial. 



Ord. LXXXIII. JuncAce*:. — Rush Family 



An Order of plants mostly perennial and inhabiting marshy 

 situations in temperate or arctic regions. They have mostly 

 creeping rhizomes; stems herbaceous, seldom branched, erect, 

 often with considerable central pith ; leaves often resembling the 

 stems, and filled with a pith-like internal tissue, or flat ; flowers 

 small, green or brown, polysymmetric, and perfect, in cymose 

 clusters ; perianth inferior, of 6 free, membranous, imbricate, per- 

 sistent leaves ; stamens 6, rarely 3, with introrse anthers ; ovary 

 1 — 3-chambered, 3- or many-ovuled ; style 1 ; stigmas 3, slender ; 

 fruit a capsule. The true Rushes (Juncus) are, for the most 

 part, social plants, single species covering wide areas of marsh or 

 bog and often proving of considerable use in fixing the soil. The 

 stems of the common species were formerly used to strew the 

 stone floors of castle halls in lieu of carpets, for twisting into 

 cordage, and for wicks for tallow candles ; but are now seldom 

 put to any use. The name Rush is extended to members of 

 other Orders, the name Bulrush being applied to Scirpus lacustris, 

 which belongs to the Sedge Family (Cyperdcece) and to the genus 

 Typha, which gives its name to the Order Typhdcece, whilst the 

 name Flowering Rush is applied to Butomus umbelldtus in the 

 Order Alismdcece. 



1. Juncus. — Smooth plants generally with cylindric leaves; 

 ovary generally 3-chambered ; ovules many. 



2. Luzula. — More or less hairy plants, with flat leaves; 

 1 -chambered ovary ; ovules 3. 



1. Juncus (Rush). — Smooth marsh plants, usually with a 

 creeping rhizome ; cylindric leaves ; membranous perianth ; 

 stamens 6, rarely 3 ; ovary 1 — 3-chambered, many-ovuled ; stigmas 

 3, wind-pollinated. (Name, the Classical Latin name of the 

 plant, perhaps connected with jungo, I join, referring to the 

 ancient use of the stems for twisting into cordage. ) 



K K 



