Cyperus
(from a Grecian appellation given to one of the species of this genus). Including Trentepohlia. ORD. Cyperaceae. A genus of about 700 species of perennial (rarely annual) rush or grass-like herbs, of various habit. Flowers bisexual, glumaceous; spikes two-ranked, many-flowered; glumes of one valve, keeled, mostly all fertile, equal; bristles none; stamens one to three. Leaves narrow, grass-like. Of the enormous number of species belonging to this genus, the following are amongst the only ones generally cultivated; these are valuable for decorative purposes. They may be grown in small pots, in a compost of loam and sand, with the addition of a little peat. Plenty of moisture is essential. Propagation is effected either by divisions, or by seed, sown in gentle heat.
C. alternifolius (alternate-leaved).* Stems erect, numerous, dark green, jointless, supporting a quantity of long narrow leaves, arranged in an umbellate manner. h. 1ft. to 2 1/2ft. Australia. The habit of this elegant greenhouse plant is very compact. It constitutes an excellent window subject. Perennial.
C. a. variegatus (variegated).* A very pleasing form. Stems and leaves elegantly streaked with white, and sometimes wholly white. It is very useful for cutting, as well as for vase and table decoration. h. 1 1/2ft. Greenhouse perennial.
C. laxus (loose). fl., spikelets oblong, bluntish, greenish, or greenish-brown, six to sixteen-flowered; glumes roundish-elliptical, mucronate, with a greenish spreading point. Stem triangular, glabrous. h. 2ft. to 3ft. West Indies. This perennial plant is well adapted for table decoration; and, to grow it successfully, requires to be placed in a damp greenhouse. (G. C. n. s., ii. 99.) C. longus (long).* fl., panicle umbellate-corymbose, lax; spikelets linear, attenuated at each end; glumes three to five-nerved. always erect, chestnut-red, with a green midrib. Autumn. l. two or three, in the lower half of the stem, grooved above, or sharply keeled beneath; scabrous at the edges, bright green and shining above, pale beneath; sheaths reddish-brown at the base. Stem solitary, erect, triquetrous, stiff. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Europe and North Africa. England (but rare), in marshes and wet meadows; abundant in the