Flora Medica

CYPERACE.K.Rhizoma rootlike very long and cordlike, spreading in the loosesand to a great extent, branching at the extremity, and sending outfrom the knots many shaggy fibres. Hence it powerfully binds thesand together, forming banks which resist the force of the ocean.Stems terminal, solitary, about a foot high, erect, except in a drivingsand, triangular ; rough-edged in the upper part j leafy below. Leavesseveral, flat, rough-edged, taper-pointed, about as tall as the stem.Spike erect, 1| or 2 inches long, of many, more or less crowded,roundish-ovate, brown spikelets ;the upper ones consisting almostentirely of male florets, with 3 stamens ;lower principally of fertileones, with 2 sessile stigmas, the latter being always inferior. Bractslanceolate, acute. Utricle ovate, ribbed, flattened, bordered in itsupper half with a dilated rough-edged membrane, and terminating in acloven beak. There is always a bristle-pointed leaf, under one, ormore, of the lower spikelets. Smith. The creeping stems are reportedto be diaphoretic, and to be possessed of demulcent and alterativepowers. They are collected on the continent, and sold under thename of German Sarsapartila.1309. C. hirta Linn. sp. pi. 1389. E. Bot. t. 685. Smiththe sides ofEng. Fl. iv. 125. Common in wet places, byditches, &c. in Europe.Stem rootlike, creeping extensively, with long, stout, scaly runners,and densely shaggy roots. Whole herb clothed, more or less copiously,with fine, soft, shaggy hairs, which occasionally disappear almostentirely, in wet situations, except at the top of the sheaths of theleaves, never quite smooth, and usually thickly bearded. Stem erect,2 feet high, leafy, with 3 sharp rough angles. Leaves scarcely so tall,upright, flat, rough-edged, pointed, most hairy beneath. Bracts likethe leaves, their sheaths, which are often smooth, embracing nearly thewhole of each flowerstalk. Male spikes 2 or 3, lanceolate, erect,light-brown, their filmy-edged scales pointed ;lower ones awned ;female 2 or 3, distant stalked, erect, cylindrical, or somewhat ovate,about an inch long ; their scales ovate, smooth, membranous, keeled,with long, slender, rough awns. Stamens 3. Stigmas 3. Utricleovate, tawny, ribbed, hairy, tumid all round, though scarcely inflated ;the beak broad, rough, deeply cloven, acute. Grain roundish, with3 angles, tipped with part of the style. Smith. This has a reputationlike that of the last, and is said to be administered with advantage inrheumatic and cachectic affections.1310. C. intermedia Gooden. (disticha Huds.). To this areassigned the same properties as to the two last. 614