North American Cyperacea^ 28t 
This species is rare in the United States. It is probably- 
distinct from the K, monocephala, Linn, a native of the East 
Indies and South America, that species having diandrous flowers 
and an obovate nuti Our plant is perhaps the K. cruciformis^ 
Schradk {in Schult. mant. 2* p. 137 ; A^. ab Esenb. in Wight^s 
contribi p. 91.), with which it agrees in its monandrous flowers; 
but the nut is rather orbicular than *' obovate." To the Ki 
pumila, it has a strong resemblance, but it is generally a much 
taller plant, the leaves are firmer and more abruptly pointed, the 
head solitary, and it differs also in the flowers. 
The localities quoted from Muhlenberg are rather doubtful, 
as the specimens in his herbarium are mixed with another spe- 
cies of Kyllingia, and also with Scirjjus subsquarrosusi 
3. KiLLlNGIA SESQUIFLORA; 
Heads 3, cylindrical-oblong, the intermediate one largest; 
spikelets ovate-oblong, diandrous, with one perfect, and often 
one imperfect floret ; scales 4 — 6 ; the two lowest minute ; the 
third and fourth nearly equal, ovate-lanceolate, acute, membra- 
naceous, 5-nerved, smooth on the keel ; the fifth imperfect, 
concealed in the fourth ; style deeply 2-cleft ; nut obovate ; in- 
volucre 4^ — 5-leaved, and with the leaves, broadly linear. 
Root creeping. Culm 8 — 12 inches high ; obtusely triangular, smooth. 
Leaves nearly as tall as the culm, 2 — 3 lines 'n-ide. Heads always 3; 
the middle oOe three-fourths of an inch long, the others shorter. Involucre 
of 4 long leaves and a shorter one. Spikelets spreading, of a whitish 
colour. Lowest scales closely appressed, one of them ovate, the other 
lanceolate ; the third and fourth whitish, with a green keel. Style one- 
third longer than the ovar^', cleft about two-thirds of the way down. Nut 
much compressed, verj'^ obtuse, fulvous. 
Hab. Damp rich soils. Middle Florida, Dr. Chapnan! 
Obs. This species resembles K. triceps, Linn., but differs 
in its longer heads, somewhat 2-flowered spikelets, smooth 
scales, and obovate nuts. It is distinguished at once from the 
other North American species of the genus, by the large whitish 
heads, broad leaves, and thick culm. The whole plant has a 
strong balsamic odour. 
Vol, IIL 37 
