492. THE SEDGE FAMILY. | [ Cares. 
hybrid between C. remota and C. muricata; and O. Banninghauseniana, 
Weihe, 1s another between remota and paniculata. | 
12, C. paniculata, Linn. (fig. 1119). Panicled Carex.—A stout 
species, forming large tufts; the stems attaining from 1 to 3 or even 4 
feet in height, and more or less triangular, but never so much so as in C, 
- vulpina ; the leaves in luxuriant specimens longer than the stem, and 3 or 
4, lines broad, in poorer specimens much shorter and narrower. Spikelets 
numerous, brown, crowded into a compound spike or panicle, sometimes 4 
or 5 inches long, with the lower branches spreading and an inch long, 
sometimes contracted into a spike like that of C. vulpina, but more slender. 
The individual spikelets are sessile, mostly with a few male flowers at the 
top, the outer bracts scarious at the edges, the lowest sometimes with short 
fine points. Styles 2-cleft. Fruits ovate, beaked, marked, on the inner 
face with several longitudinal ribs or veins. 
In marshes and bogs, throughout Europe and Russian Asia, except the - 
extreme north, and in North America. Generally distributed over Britain. 
Fl, early summer. It varies much in the degree of development of the in- 
florescence, as well as in the nerves or ribs of the fruit. A small variety, 
distinguished under the name of C. teretiuscula, Good., has the panicle 
almost contracted into a spike of about an inch, but much more slender 
than in C. vulpina, and the fruit, although the longitudinal ribs are 
scarcely prominent, is very convex, not flattened as in the latter species. 
This variety is also connected with the more common state of C. panicu- 
lata, by numerous intermediate forms, often considered as an intermediate 
species under the name of C. paradoxa, Willd. 
13, C. vulpina, Linn. (fig. 1120), Hox Carex.—A short, tufted plant, 
2 to 3 or even 4 feet high, with rather broad but not very long leaves, 
ending in a fine point, and a sharply-triangular stem, with broader sides 
than in C. paniculata, Spikelets 1umerous, green or pale brown, densely 
crowded into a terminal spike of 1 to 2 inches, always more or less com- 
pound and interrupted at the base, but the branches never elongated. The 
outer bracts of the lower clusters of spikelets have a fine leafy point. The 
individual spikelets are ovoid, many-flowered, all male at the top. Styles 
2-cleft. Fruits much flattened, spreading when ripe, with a green or pale 
brown, rather broad beak. 
In marshes and wet meadows, throughout Europe and Russian Asia, 
except the extreme north, and in North America. Frequent in England 
and Ireland, more scarce and chiefly a coast plant in Scotland. 1. early 
summer. 
14, ©. muricata, Linn. (fig. 1121). Prickly Carex.—A much smaller 
plant than the last two, seldom attaining a foot in height, with rather 
narrow leaves shorter than the stem. Spikelets about 6, rather short, 
brown or shining green, all mixed, having a few male flowers at the top of 
each, either all simple and crowded in a terminal spike of about an inch, 
or the lower ones rather more distant and sometimes slightly compound. 
Outer bracts mostly terminating in short fine points. Styles usually 2- 
cleft. Fruits rather large, 2 lines long when ripe, pointed and spreading 
as in C, stellulata. 
In marshy and gravelly pastures, throughout Europe, temperate Asia, ~ 
except the extreme north, and North America. Not uncommon in England, 
Ireland, and southern Scotland. Fl. early summer. | 
