8. SCÍRPUS, Tourn. Bulrush or Club-Rush. ([Pl. 3.])
Spikelets several–many-flowered, solitary or in a terminal cluster which is subtended by a 1–several-leaved involucre (this when simple often appearing like a continuation of the culm), terete, the scales being regularly imbricated all round in many or several ranks, or rarely somewhat compressed and the fewer scales inclining to be 2-ranked. Flowers to all the scales, or to all but one or two of the lowest, all perfect. Perianth of 3–6 mostly retrorsely barbed or ciliate bristles (not elongated), or sometimes wanting. Stamens mostly 3. Style 2–3-cleft, simple, not bulbous at base, wholly deciduous, or sometimes leaving a tip or point to the lenticular or triangular achene.—Culms sheathed at base; the sheaths usually leaf-bearing. Mostly perennials; flowering in summer. (The Latin name of the Bulrush.)
[*] Spikelets solitary, few-flowered, small, often flattish; achene triangular, smooth.
[+] Involucre a short awl-shaped bract; culms tufted (3–12´ high), filiform.
1. S. cæspitòsus, L. Culms terete, wiry, densely sheathed at base, in compact turfy tufts; the upper sheath bearing a very short awl-shaped leaf; spikelet ovoid, rusty-color; involucral bract a rigid-pointed scale, resembling the lowest proper scale of the spikelet and scarcely surpassing it; bristles 6, smooth, longer than the abruptly short-pointed achene.—Coast of Maine, alpine summits of N. Eng., swamps of northern N. Y., N. Ill., Minn., and northward; also on Roan Mt., N. C. (Eu.)
2. S. Clintònii, Gray. Culms acutely triangular, almost bristle-like; sheaths at the base bearing a very slender almost bristle-shaped leaf shorter (usually very much shorter) than the culm; involucral bract awl-shaped, mostly shorter than the chestnut-colored ovate spikelet, which has pointless scales; otherwise as the next.—Rather dry plains, N. Y. June.
3. S. planifòlius, Muhl. Culms triangular, leafy at base; leaves linear, flat, as long as the culm, and like it rough-edged; involucral bract a bristle-tipped scale usually overtopping the ovate or oblong chestnut-colored spikelet, the green midrib of the scales extended into sharp points; bristles upwardly hairy, as long as the pointless achene.—Dry or moist ground, N. Eng. to Del., west to western N. Y. and Penn.; W. Mo. (B. F. Bush.).
[+][+] One-leaved involucre more conspicuous, and as if continuing the culm.
4. S. subterminàlis, Torr. Aquatic; culms (1–3° long, thickish-filiform) partly and the shorter filiform leaves wholly submersed, cellular; the filiform green bract 6–12´´ long, much surpassing the oblong spikelet; scales somewhat pointed; bristles 6, bearded downward, rather shorter than the abruptly-pointed achene.—Slow streams and ponds, N. Eng. to N. J., west to Mich. and N. Ind.—Var. terréstris, Paine; less tall, with firmer stem and leaves, and fruiting spike more turgid. Growing chiefly emersed; Herkimer Co., N. Y.
[*][*] Spikelets clustered (rarely only one), appearing lateral, the one-leaved involucre resembling and seeming to be a continuation of the naked culm.