870 THE RUSH FAMILY. 



and Grasses) under each ramification, cluster, or flower ; the outer 

 bract or bracts often ending in a long leaf-like point, in some species 

 appearing like a continuation of the stem. Capsule 3-celled, with nu- 

 merous small seeds. 



The principal genus of the Order, and co-extensive in its geographical 

 range. The species are almost all inhabitants of marshy, boggy, or wet 

 ground, and several are almost cosmopolitan. 



Stems quite leafless, except the brown sheathing scales at 

 the base, which have no leafy tips. Flowers in a 

 lateral cluster. 

 Stems soft and pliable. 



Flowers very numerous. Perianth about 1 line 



long 1. Common £. 



Flowers few, about halfway up the stem. Perianth 



about 2 lines long 3. Thread R. 



Stems rigid. 

 Stems tufted, rather slender. Panicle loose. Perianth- 

 segments very narrow 2. Hard R. 



Stems very stiff. Rootstock creeping. Panicle many- 

 flowered. Perianth-segments nearly ovate . . 4. Baltic R. 

 Leaves (sometimes cylindrical and stem-like) either on 

 the stem or under the panicle, or forming leafy tips 

 to the sheathing-scales at the base of the stem. 

 Leaves cylindrical and hollow, but with internal cross 

 partitions, which make them look jointed when dry. 

 Perianth-segments more or less pointed .... 5. Jointed R. 



Perianth- segments all obtuse 6. Obtuse R. 



Leaves and outer bracts cylindrical, very stiff, with 

 prickly joints. 



Capsule much longer than the perianth 12. Sharp R. 



Capsule not longer than the perianth 11. Sea R. 



Leaves neither jointed nor prickly (usually channelled ', 

 or slender, or spreading) . 

 Leaves all radical or nearly so (except the outer leaf- 

 like bract), and much shorter than the stem. 

 . Flowers not clustered, in a loose panicle . . .8. Heath R. 

 Flowers in one or two terminal heads. 



Heads solitary, with 2 to 4 flowers 15. Two-Jloivered R 



Heads 1 or 2, with 6 to 8 flowers in each . . 14. Chestnut R. 

 One or two leaves on the stem below the panicle. 

 Small annuals. Flowers pale-coloured. 



Flowers distinct, in a much-branched, leafy 

 panicle, occupying the greater part of the 



plant 9. Toad R. 



Flowers collected in one or two terminal heads . 10. Capitate R. 

 Perennials. Flowers brown. 





