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CYPERACEAE 
Diagrams of Carex (after Eichler). A, 
diagram of a 2-carpelled ? flr. ; B, side 
view of $ flr. a. = axis of spikelet; utr. 
= utricle. 
perhaps be termed a pseudo-spikelet. The flr. is borne in the axil of 
a glume and may be g or uni- 
sexual ; it is usually naked but may 
have a perianth of 6 (or oo ) small 
scales or hairs. Sta. 3, cpls. (3) 
or (2) forming a i-loc. ovary, 
with long feathery (anemophilous) 
stigmas. Ovule 1, basal, anatro- 
pous. In Carex &c. the ? flr. is 
borne in the axil of a second 
glume (the utricle ) which closely 
enwraps it (in the figure it is 
shown diagrammatically). The 
flrs. are wind-pollinated. Fruit 
an achene, the testa not adhering 
to the pericarp. The sedges are of little economic value; see 
Cyperus. 
Classification and chief genera (after Pax) : 
I. SCIRPOIDEAE (spikelets with no terminal flr., always 2- 
sexual; flr. almost always £): Cyperus, Eriophorum, Scirpus, 
Eleocharis, Fimbristylis. 
II. CARICOIDEAE (spikelets i-sexual or andro-moncecious ; 
flr. rarely g , usually monoecious ; <? and ? flrs. on axes of 
different orders) : Schoenus, Rhynchospora, Carex. 
[C. are placed in Glumaceae by Benth. -Hooker, Glumiflorae by 
Eichler.] 
Cyperus Linn, (inch Mariscus Gaertn. ). Cyperaceae (1). 400 sp. trop. 
and warm temp. (2 in S. England, rare). Herbs with sympodial 
rhizome and leafless or leafy shoots above ground. Infl. umbel- or 
head-like. The most interesting sp. is C. Papyrus L., the paper-reed, 
a river-side plant with shoots 3 — 12 feet high. From the stems was 
made the ancient writing paper, papyrus. The stem was split into 
thin strips and these were pressed together while still wet. The 
rhizome is edible, and also the root-tubers of several sp. 
CyphiaBerg. Campanulaceae (n). 20 sp. Afr. [Cyphiaceae, Warming.] 
Cyphokentia Brongn. Palmae (iv. 6). 10 sp. New Caled. 
Cyphomandra Mart, ex Sendtn. Solanaceae (11. 5). 30 sp. S. Am. 
Cypripedium Linn. Orchidaceae (2). 20 sp. N. temp, and subtrop. 
(C. Calceolus L. in Brit.). Lady’s-slipper orchids. Terrestrial acran- 
thous plants. The lateral sepals are completely united. The labellum 
is slipper-like with inturned edge ; at its base is the column, partly 
enclosed in it. The large staminode (see order) is visible outside the 
labellum ; under it are the two anthers, and lower down the flat 
stigma. The pollen is glutinous and not united into pollinia. Insects 
(mostly bees) visiting the flr. get inside the labellum and cannot get 
out by the way they entered, so have to pass out by the openings at 
