11. Hemicarpha. Flower with a single very minute hyaline scale next the axis of the spikelet; bristles none.
12. Lipocarpha. Flower enclosed by 2 inner scales, one next the axis, the other in front of the achene; bristles none.
Tribe II. RHYNCHOSPOREÆ. Spikelets mostly 1–2-flowered, with 2–many of the lower scales empty.
13. Rhynchospora. Spikelets terete or flattish; scales convex, either loosely enwrapping or regularly imbricated. Achene crowned with a persistent tubercle or beak, and commonly surrounded by bristles.
14. Cladium. Spikelets terete, few-flowered, the scales, etc., as in the preceding. Achene destitute of tubercle. No bristles.
II. Flowers unisexual.
Tribe III. SCLERIEÆ. Flowers monœcious; the staminate and pistillate in the same or in different clustered spikes. Achene naked, bony or crustaceous, supported on a hardened disk.
15. Sclerlia. Spikes few-flowered; lower scales empty. No bristles or inner scales.
Tribe IV. CARICEÆ. Flowers monœcious in the same (androgynous) or in separate spikes or sometimes diœcious. Achene enclosed in a sac (perigynium).
16. Carex. Hypogynous bristle short and enclosed in the perigynium or none.