272 North American Cyperacece. 
umbel crowded, usually 1 — 2 inches long ; secondary rays half an inthi 
long. Involucre somewhat erect ; one of the leaves longer than the 
umbel, the others equalling it ; the involucels are mere short lanceolate 
bracts. Ochrece obliquely truncate. Spikelets 3 — 7 lines long, varying 
from ovate to oblong, rather obtuse. Scales closely imbricated, but 
spreading at the points, giving the edge of the spikelets a finely serrated 
appearance ; the side of a briglit reddish colour, the keel and part of the 
back green. Stamens 3. Style 3-cleft. Nut whitish, very obtuse, 
minute. 
Hab» Sandy swamps, and in wet places on the banks of 
rivers, Massachusetts! to Florida! near Boston, and Charles- 
ton, South Carolina, B. D. Greene, Esq.!; Litchfield, Con- 
necticut, Mr. Brace ! ; New Jersey, from S. Amboy to Cape 
May! ; Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg! !^' Schwcinitz ! — September. 
Obs. This beautiful species, though resembling C. com- 
pressus in many respects, can easily be distinguished by the 
characters above enumerated. It appears to have been over- 
looked by Elliott, although inhabiting the Southern States. 
I have found it near South Amboy, in one or two instances 
growing two feet high, with the umbel decompound, and the 
involucels very distinct : but it was evidently in a diseased or 
unnatural state. It very frequently occurs with the scales and 
ochreas foliaceous, giving the spikelets and axils a viviparous 
appearance. The whole plant, except the spikelets, is of a 
yellowish green colour. 
(3? multiradiatus : umbel many-rayed, the rays elongated; 
scales oblong, scarcely acute, 3-nerved. 
RJiizoma creeping. Culm 2 feet high. Umbel 10 — 12-rayed ; the 
primary rays 4 — 6 inches long; secondary 1 — 2 inches long, erect. 
Ochrece cuspidate. Involucre about 6-leaved. Spikelets 14 — 24-flowered, 
obtuse, much compressed, 5 — 8 lines long, 2 lines broad. Rachis naked. 
Scales rather obtuse than acute, greenish, shaded with yellow and brown, 
closely imbricated, their tips scarcely distinct. * 
Hab. East Florida, Lc Conte! ; New Orleans, Dr.Ingalls ! 
Obs. This may prove to be a distinct species from C. 
dentatusy but I have concluded to let it remain as a variety till 
