Tree up to 50 ft. high; stems branching dichotomously. Leaves 20-30 in a terminal crown on each branch, fan-shaped; petiole sheathing at base, spiny on margins. Fruit 3 in. long, obliquely ovoid, obscurely 3-angled.

Usually near running water, throughout the Sudan; Nubia; Dongola Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; White Nile Prov.

The leaves are made into mats and their fibre is used for rope-making. The pulp round the seeds is insipid but is eaten. The kernels give a vegetable ivory. The timber is strong and is used for posts and beams.

820Medemia Argun P.G. von Württemburg. DOM—Arab.

Tree with undivided stems and fan-shaped leaves. Fruit ellipsoid, dull brown, 1 5/6 in. long.

Nubia (Wadi Delah, near Murrat wells in the Great Nubian Desert, between Korosko & Abu Hamed); Halfa Prov. (Upper reaches of Wadi Gebgaba, Lat. 21° 45′ N. & Long. 33° E.); Kordofan Prov. (20-21° Lat. N.).

The leaves yield a strong fibre.

M. abiadensis Wendl.

Much as above; fruit ellipsoid, bright brown, 1½ in. long. On the White Nile.

821Elæis guineensis Jacq. The Oil Palm.

Erect palm; stem 20-30 ft. high, annulate, bearing remains of old leaves. Leaves many in a terminal crown, 10-15 ft. long; pet. 4 ft. long, spiny on margins; leaflets 18 in. or more long. Fruit ovoid, umbilicate at apex, 1-3 seeded.

White Nile; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau).

Introduced. Not cultivated to any extent in the Sudan at present.

PANDANACEÆ.

822Pandanus sp.

Leaves sword-like, sharply toothed, probably about 4 ft. long, thick and leathery. Flowers not seen.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Diagbe River).

ERIOCAULACEÆ.

823Eriocaulon bifistulosum Van Heurck & Muell. Arg.

Aquatic herb; stem elongated, densely leafy above. Leaves filiform, 1-3½ in. long. Ped. numerous, 1½-5 in. long, with sheaths, ab. 1 in. long, obtuse or bifid at apex. Fl. minute, in globose-depressed brownish monœcious heads, ⅙ in. diam.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit: Biri River; Jur: Jur Ghattas).

E. bongense Engl. & Ruhland.

Stemless aquatic herb. Leaves radical, linear, 1½-3 in. long. Ped. 5-16 to a plant, 3-12 in. long; sheaths 1-3½ in. long, rather loose. Heads light straw-coloured, subglobose, ab. ⅓ in. diam.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Agaza River near Jur Ghattas; Bongo: at Bulu near Sabbi).

E. elegantulum Engl.

Stemless aquatic or marsh herb. Leaves 4-10, linear, ⅓-3 in. long. Ped. 2-16, acutely 3-4 angled, 1-8 in. long; sheaths ⅓-3 in. long, inflated. Heads ab. ⅙ in. diam., globose; male fl. usually central, greyish-white; fem. brown.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

CYPERACEÆ (Sedges).[5]

(i) Empty glumes at base of spikelet 1-2; fertile glumes 1 to many, distichous; hypogynous bristles or scales 0; infl. umbellate or capitate; fl. hermaphrodite.

(a) Style 2-branched.

824Kyllinga erecta Schum. & Thonn.

Glabrous herb; rhizome creeping, up to 8 in. long; stems more or less distant, nodeless. Leaves close to base of stem and up to half its length, ⅛ in. broad. Head of 1 spike, ¼-⅓ in. diam., ovoid, dense, golden tinged; bracts 3-4, up to 3 in. long; spikelets with 1 fertile glume, which is not winged; nut yellow-brown, turning black.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei R.).

K. melanosperma Nees.

Glabrous herb; rhizome thick, ½-1½ in. long; stems 20-30 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves up to 6 in. long, ⅙ in. broad. Head of 1 spike, ⅓ in. long, ovoid; bracts 3-4, up to 4 in. long; spikelets with 1 fertile, not winged glume; nut black.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

K. crassipes Boeck.

Rhizome short; stems 4-8 in. long. Leaves up to 9 in. long. Heads of 1-3 spikes, pale brown; bracts 4-5, up to 9 in. long; spikelets with 1 fertile glume, which is not winged, but has sunk red glands.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Atwot District).

K. pungens Link.

Rhizome thick, brown-scaly; stem 8-18 in. long. Leaves under 9 in. long. Head of 1 spike, subglobose, ¼-⅓ in. diam.; bracts 4-5, 1-4 in. long; fertile glume 1, not winged; nut black.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Matju River).

K. triceps Rottb.

Stems sub-bulbous at base, tufted, 2-12 in. long. Leaves up to 12 in. long. Heads of usually 3, sometimes 1 spike, white or green, 1/5-⅓ in. long; bracts 3-4, up to 3 in. long; fertile glume in spikelet 1, sometimes red gland-dotted; nuts yellow-brown.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba & Jur Ghattas).

K. squamulata Vahl.

Root fibrous; stems tufted. Leaves as long as stem. Head green to brown, globose, usually of 1 spike, ⅓ in. diam.; bracts 3, up to 4 in. long; spikelets numerous; fertile glume 1 with a toothed winged keel; nuts dull-brown.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid & J. Kurbaj); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

K. controversa Steud. var. subexalata C. B. Clarke.

Roots, stems and leaves as above, but sheaths of last much torn. Head globose of usually 3 spikes; bracts 3-4, up to 6 in. long; spikelets numerous; fertile glume 1, keel with narrow ciliate wing.

Kordofan Prov. (J. Kurbaj).

K. polyphylla Willd.

Rhizome short, thick; stems 10-20 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves up to ab. 1 ft. long. Head of 1, sometimes 3, orange-green spikes; bracts 5-8, sometimes over 4 in. long; spikes ⅓ in. diam., ovoid; fertile glume in spikelet 1, wingless; nuts red-brown.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

K. sphærocephala Boeck.

Rhizome slender; stems 1 ft. long, slender. Leaves up to 8 in. long. Head pale cinnamon-coloured, globose, ¼ in. diam.; spike 1; bracts 2-3, up to 2 in. long; spikelets with 1, 4-ribbed fertile glume; nut yellow-brown.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

K. pumila Mich.

Roots fibrous; stems tufted, 4-18 in. long, slender; sheaths reddish. Leaves up to ab. 1 ft. long. Head green or greenish-white; spikes 1-3, middle spike ab. ⅓ in. long; bracts 2-4, 2-6 in. long; spikelets dense; fertile glume 1, rarely 2, not winged; nut yellow-brown.

Nubia; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).

825Pycreus flavescens Nees.

Annual; stems 1-12 in. long. Leaves up to 8 in., crowded close to the base. Spikes 1 or more, loosely umbelled, of 3-12 clustered ebracteolate spikelets; bracts 2-4, overtopping umbel; spikelets straw-coloured, red-tinged; fertile glumes 8-36, boat-shaped; nuts whitish, laterally compressed.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Kordofan Prov. (Rahad); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Main River: Nuer country; Bongo: Addai).

P. Mundtii Nees. UMTUGG (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Stems 8-24 in. long, decumbent and rooting at base and clothed with leaf-sheaths up to ¾ of its length. Leaves 4-10 in. long. Spikes usually in many-rayed simple umbels, rarely subcompound or 1 spike only, bearing 3-8 ebracteolate spikelets; bracts 4 to many, overtopping the umbel; spikelets containing 12-16 fertile glumes, brown; nuts biconvex, dotted.

Khartoum Prov.; North Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Kallokitting 4,000 ft.); Upper White Nile Prov. (mouth of Sobat River & Khor Attar); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (mouth of Bahr El Arab); Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).

P. nitens Nees.

Annual; stems tufted up to 12 in. long. Leaves ab. same length. Umbels simple; spikes 1-6; bracts 3-6, ½-6 in. long; spikelets straw-coloured, 5-30 per spike; fertile glumes 8-44, boat-shaped; nuts pale-brown, laterally compressed.

Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad).

P. polystachyos P. Beauv.

Roots fibrous; stems tufted, 12-30 in. long. Leaves basal, up to length of stem. Umbels usually compound of 1-7 rays; spikes of 10-50 ebracteolate spikelets; bracts 3-6, 4-12 in. long; fertile glumes in spikelet 20-50; straw-coloured or reddish; nut brown.

var. laxiflora Benth.

Spikes open, subcorymbose or umbellate; spikelets subsolitary.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

P. globosus Reichb. var. nilagirica C. B. Clarke.

Annual or biennial; stems tufted, 1-2 ft. long. Leaves up to 16 in. long. Umbels 1-6 in. diam., simple or compound or 1 compound head, bracts 3-5, lowest overtopping inflorescence; spikelets up to ¾ in. long, compressed, dark-brown; fertile glumes 8-30; nuts blackish.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei R.).

P. propinquus Nees.

Stems and leaves 12-18 in. long. Spikes 10-16 in 1 compound, pale-yellow head; bracts 3, 3-7 in. long; spikelets ½ in. long; fertile glumes 20-36, slightly inflated; nuts red-brown.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

P. capillifolius C. B. Clarke.

Annual; stems tufted, very slender, 4-8 in. long. Leaves same length, almost hair-like. Head 1, lateral, of 4-18 ebracteolate spikelets which are ½-¾ in. long and have 10-30 fertile, pale-yellow inflated glumes; bracts 2, 1-2½ in. long; nut black, smooth, half the length of glume.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

P. elegantulus C. B. Clarke.

Annual; stems 8-28 in. long. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, narrow. Umbel of 1-7 dense, compound spikes, each of 5-30 dense spikelets or by congestion forming a mass of 80 spikelets or more; bracts 3-5, 3-9 in. long; spikelets up to ⅔ in. long, ebracteolate, 6-16 fld.; glumes not overlapping in fruit, dark-brown with green keel; nut obovoid, ab. ½ length of glume; style short.

Between Khartoum & Shendi.

P. umbrosus Nees.

Rhizome woody, giving out suckers 12 in. long or more, clothed with dark-brown scales; stems 12-18 in. long. Leaves ⅙ in. broad, longer than stem; sheaths fleshy, with transverse lines. Umbels subsimple, rays 3-7, up to 2 in. long; bracts 4, lowest 6 in. long; spikes of 3-8 ebracteolate spikelets; spikelets 16-fld., brown to black, keels yellowish-brown or green; style shorter than nut, which is ¼ length of glume, dark-brown.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (main river: Nuer villages).

P. albomarginatus Nees.

Annual; stem solitary, 1-3 ft. high, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, ab. ¼ in. broad. Umbel usually compound; primary rays 3-11, 1-7 in. long; bracts 3-6, lowest 8-18 in. long. Spikes subglobose or elongate, 1¼-2 in. long, of 8-12 usually ebracteolate spikelets; spikelets straw-coloured, 18-30 fld.; glumes with white margins; nut black, ⅔ length of glume.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

826Juncellus alopecuroides C. B. Clarke. SEID & SAMAR BALADI (Egypt)—Arab.

Large herb; stem solitary, 18-36 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves length of stem, ⅓ in. broad. Umbel 6 in. and more in diam., compound; rays 4-10; bracts 3-8, lowest 6 in. and more long; spikes 3-5 together, sessile, 1-1½ in. long, dense; spikelets 8-30 fld.; compressed, straw-coloured; glumes closely imbricate; nut ⅓ length of glume, anterior angle flattened.

Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Kallokitting 4,200 ft.); Upper White Nile Prov. (Mouth of Bahr El Zeraf).

Cultivated in Lower Egypt for its stems which are made into mats, also for sweetening land about to be reclaimed.

J. pustulatus C. B. Clarke.

Annual; stems tufted, 4-16 in. long. Leaves few, ab. ⅔ length of stem, narrow. Umbels simple, rays 1-5, 0-2½ in. long; bracts 3, lowest 3-7 in. long. Spikes of 2-5 subsessile spikelets, ebracteolate; spikelets white, purple-marked, up to ½ in. long; rhachilla persistent; flowering glumes 8-18; nut 2/5 length of glume, much flattened on anterior angle.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

J. pygmæus C. B. Clarke.

Annual; stems densely tufted, 1-10 in. high. Leaves as long, narrow. Infl. a dense compound head of numerous spikelets; bracts 3-8, dilated at base, lowest up to 3-6 in. long; spikelets green to pale-brown, 1/5 in. long, compressed, 8-24. fld.; glumes deciduous from lowest, rhachilla persistent; nut ab. ⅓ length of glume, plano-convex, brown, smooth.

Dongola Prov. (banks of the Nile); Khartoum Prov. (North); Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.

J. lævigatus C. B. Clarke.

Rhizome woody; stems crowded or distant, 6-24 in. long, bases enclosed by red-brown scales. Leaves variable, usually short. Spike solitary, lateral, of 1-30 spikelets; bracts 2, lowest continuing the stem, 1-3 in. long; spikelets ⅓ in. long, straw-coloured, 12-24. fld.; nut ab. ⅔ length of glume, plano-convex; rhachilla persistent.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat & 21° N.L.); Darfur Prov. (J. Meidob, 2,400 ft.).

827Cyperus nudicaulis Poir.

Floating herb; rhizome long; stems tufted, 12-30 in. long. Leaves reduced to pale-brown leaf-sheaths. Head of 1-12 sessile spikelets; bracts 1-3, the lowest suberect, continuing the stem, shorter than head; spikelets ½-1 in. long, flattened, 30-70 fld., pale or reddish; glumes 3-nerved, falling off seriatim from lowest from persistent rhachilla; sta. 3; style long, branches short; nut ⅔ length of glume, flattened, base corky, thickened.

White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Sudd); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (main river).

C. Colymbetes Kotschy & Peyr.

Stems tufted, 1-2 ft. long, 3-angled. Leaves 0. Head of 6-30 spikelets; bracts 2; spikelets ½-⅔ in. long, up to 40 fld., otherwise as above.

Fung Prov. (Saoleil & Sherif); Mouth of Bahr El Jebel.

C. leucocephalus Retz.

Glabrous herb; stems bulbous at base, 4-10 in. long, tufted. Leaves up to ⅔ length of stem. Head 1 globose, white or pale brown, up to ⅔ in. diam., of 6-40 spikelets; bracts 3, lowest 2 in. long; spikelets up to ⅓ in. long, compressed; glumes 1-3 nerved close; sta. 1; style shorter than nut which is ⅓-⅔ length of glume, yellow, bluntly 3-angled.

Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft.).

C. compactus Lam. ’ESHŪB, SE’ED—Arab.

Perennial; rhizome short; stem 4-16 in. long, with hard, dark brown leaf-sheaths at base. Leaves up to length of stem. Head 1 of 5-20 spikelets, ½-1½ in. diam., yellowish; bracts 3-4, dilated at base, lowest 2-4 in. long; spikelets ⅓-⅔ in., oblong, compressed, 8-18 fld.; glumes ab. ¼ in. long, close, striate; nut ⅓ length of glume, 3-angled; style shorter than nut.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Abu Gurun’s Zariba).

C. conglomeratus Rottb.

Glabrous herb; rhizome usually short; roots woolly; stems 4-24 in. long, somewhat 3-angled at top. Leaves half to twice as long as stem. Simple umbel or head of few spikes; bracts 3-5, lowest 3-6 in. long, suberect, dilated at base; spikelets 3-25 to a head, ab. ½ in. long, 8-16 fld., straw-coloured or pale brown; glumes minutely mucronate, ribbed; style short, branches rather long; nut ⅓ length of glume, 3-angled.

Nubian Desert (Wadi El Derood); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Darfur Prov.

C. cruentus Rottb. TOROG—Hadendowa; ASHAM—Rashida.

Spikelets narrower and glumes closer on rhachilla, but otherwise as above.

Nubia (between Suakin & Berber: Obak); Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (Atbara, near Bulak); Kassala Prov. (Gash Delta: Um Adam); Red Sea Prov. (Er-Rih Island, Red Sea); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad).

C. amabilis Vahl.

Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 2-8 in. long. Leaves up to ½ length of stem. Umbel simple or compound (rarely 1 head), rays up to 14 and 4 in. long; bracts up to 4, shorter than umbel. Spikelets 3-10 together, ⅔ in long, golden-brown, 16-36 fld.; glumes minutely mucronate, keel of 3-5 green nerves; style as long as nut; nut 2/5 length of glume, obovoid, brown.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Bongo-land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

C. uncinatus Poir.

Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 2-10 in. long. Leaves length of stem, bristly. Umbels usually simple; bracts 3-6, bristly, longer than umbel; spikelets digitate, usually 3-10 together, ½ in. long, 8-28 fld., compressed, pale-rusty to brown; glumes 3-nerved, the green keel produced into a prominent bristle; nut half as long as glume (excl. mucro), oblong-obovoid.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

C. reduncus Hochst.

Glabrous herb; stems tufted, 2-10 in. long. Leaves length of stem. Umbel usually compound, 3-4 in. diam.; bracts longer than umbel. Spikes digitate, of 3-20 spikelets, which are flattened and 30 fld.; glumes with short recurved mucro; style short, as are the branches; nut ab. ¾ in. length of glume, narrow, brown.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

C. difformis Linn.

Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 4-20 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves ½-⅔ length of stem. Spikes in simple or compound umbel or contracted into 1 head; bracts 2-4, lowest 2-10 in. long. Spikelets many in dense heads, dusky or brown, 10-30 fld.; glumes close packed, obtuse; sta. 1 (rarely 2); style much shorter than nut, branches short: nut nearly as long as glume, 3-angled, straw-coloured to brown.

Kordofan Prov. (Rahad); Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,300 ft.); Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas; Niamniam-land: Linduku River).

C. microlepis Boeck.

Spikelets whitish; glumes more elongate and less obtuse, and nut more elongate and narrower than in above.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Gir; Jur: Jur Ghattas).

C. dichroostachyus Hochst.

Glabrous herb; rhizome 4-8 in. long; stems distant, 18-36 in. long, sharply 3-angled at top. Leaves ½-¾ length of stem, up to ½ in. broad. Umbel lateral, compound, 2-5 in. diam.; bracts 3-4, up to 8 in. long, lowest in continuation of stem. Spikes of 3-5 spikelets, digitate, numerous; spikelets white, brown spotted, 6-14 fld.; glumes 1-nerved, obtuse; sta. 2; style very short; nut ¾ length of glume, yellow-brown.

North Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).

C. Haspan Linn.

Glabrous herb; rhizome creeping; stems distant or close together, 4-28 in. long, 3-angled or winged at top. Leaves almost absent to longer than stem. Umbel usually compound once or more, rarely simple; bracts 2-3, lowest suberect, shorter to longer than the umbel. Spikelets digitate, 2-6 together, up to ½ in. long, compressed, 10-40 fld.; glumes 1-3 nerved, greenish or purplish; sta. 2-3; style short; nut ab. ½ length of glume, pale-brown.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. Yei River).

C. flavidus Retz.

Short-lived annual; stems tufted, 2-8 in. long, obtusely 3-angled. Leaves longer than stem. Umbel very compound, yellow to blackish; bracts longer than umbel; sta. 1; nut white; otherwise as above.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

C. podocarpus Boeck.

Glabrous herb; rhizome scaly; stems tufted, obtusely 3-angled, 10 in. long. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Umbel simple; rays 2-4, ab. ½ in. long; bracts 3, lowest suberect, 4-8 in. long. Spikes of 3-7 spikelets, ebracteate; spikelets 2/5 in. long, 8-12 fld., purple mottled; glumes obtuse; sta. 3; style shorter than nut, which is ½ length of glume, broad ellipsoid, 3-angled, suddenly narrowed into a minute stalk, black.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

C. sphærospermus Schrad.

Glabrous herb; rhizome woody, 2 in. long; stems 6-14 in. long, more or less sharply 3-angled at top. Leaves from ½ the length to (rarely) more than length of stems. Umbel simple or compound, 1-5 in. diam.; bracts varying from 1 in. to length in infl. Spikes of 3-8 digitate spikelets, straw-coloured or rich brown; spikelets ½ in. long, compressed, 10-30 fld.; sta. 3; style short, branches longer than the minute nut.

Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).

C. flabelliformis Rottb.

Rhizome stout; stems 2-3 ft. long, tufted, rounded or angular at top. Leaves 0, except on early sterile shoots. Umbel usually compound, 4-12 in. diam.; primary rays 6 to numerous, subequal; bracts 8-12 subequal, longer than umbel; spikes whitish-yellow to rusty, of 2-15 digitate spikelets which are compressed and 10-20 fld.; glumes hard, shining, pointed; sta. 3; style short, branches long; nut ½ length of glume.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).

C. dichromenæformis Kunth. var. major Boeck.

Rhizome woody; stems 12-30 in. long, almost flattened at top. Leaves nearly as long, up to ½ in. broad. Head of 12-34 spikelets; bracts 4-5, lowest up to 10 in. long; spikelets ½ in. long, flattened, straw-coloured, 12-20 fld.; glumes distant; sta. 3; styles shorter than nut, branches long; nut ⅔ length of glume, 3-angled, brown.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Kulenjo).

C. Renschii Boeck.

Tall glabrous herb; stems up to 6 ft. high, 3-angled to 3-winged at top. Leaves up to 4 ft. by 1 in., 3-nerved. Umbel 8-24 in. diam., decompound; bracts 2 ft. long. Spikes abundant, green to red-brown, small, of 2-7 clustered spikelets which are 1/12 in. long, oblong, 3-6 fld.; glumes distichous, mucronate; sta. 2-3; style half the length and branches length of the nut which is ab. ½ length of glume.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

C. Iria Linn.

Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 4-20 in. long. Leaves ab. as long as stem. Umbel usually compound, 2-20 in. diam.; rays often long; bracts longer than umbel. Spikes of 5-20 spikelets loosely spicate on a ⅓-2 in. long rhachis; spikelets slender, ab. ½ in. long, yellow or brown, 6-20 fld.; nut nearly length of glume, black; style short, branches shortly exserted.

Nubia; Kordofan Prov. (Obeid); Darfur Prov. (J. Barkin); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).

C. aristatus Rottb.

Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 1-7 in. long. Leaves up to length of stem. Umbel appearing simple (or 1 spike); rays 1-6, up to 3 in. long, lowest bract usually longer than umbel. Spikes ½ in. long, cylindric, of 5-40 spikelets, brown when ripe; spikelets up to ½ in. long, compressed, 6-30 fld.; glumes striate, ending in a conspicuous recurved bristle; sta. 1; nut ⅓ length of glume, brown; style shorter than nut, branches shortly exserted.

Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad); Upper White Nile Prov. (Taufikia); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).

C. distans Linn. f.

Glabrous herb; rhizome stout; stems 1-3 ft. long. Leaves up to length of stem. Umbel compound, 8-12 in. diam., sometimes congested or scanty; bracts usually longer than umbel. Rhachis of spike ⅓-2 in. long; spikelets spicate, almost acicular, 10-12 fld., reddish; glumes distant; style shorter than nut, branches shortly exserted; nut ab. ½ length of glume, black.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River, Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

C. eleusinoides Kunth.

Stems 1-3 ft. long, throwing out lateral shoots at base. Spikes 1 in. long dense cylindric; spikelets obliquely spreading, green or grey-brown, ½ in. long, ab. 10 fld.; glumes mucronate, approximate; otherwise as above.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).

C. latifolius Poir.

Glabrous herb; stolons (runners) long; stem 2-3 ft. long, acutely 3-angled at top. Leaves ¾ length of stem, ¾ in. broad. Umbel compound, dense, secondary umbels corymbose; bracts longer than umbel. Spikes of 4-8 spikelets: spikelets ½ in. long, pallid or reddish, 8-16 fld.; glumes obtuse, imbricated; nut ½ length of glume, black.

Bahr El Jebel (Hillet El Nuer).

C. pilosus Vahl.

Glabrous, except spike-rhachis which is minutely hairy; stem 12-30 in. long, acutely 3-angled at top. Leaves ¾ length of stem. Umbel usually compound; bracts several, lowest longer than umbel. Spikelets ½ in. long at right angles to the rhachis, pale reddish, 10-24 fld.; glumes obtuse, rather loose; nut 3/5 length of glume, black.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

C. bulbosus Vahl.

Glabrous bulbed herb; stolons slender, ending in small bulb; stem 4-12 in. long, very slender. Leaves longer than stem, tapering. Umbel contracted, subcorymbose; bracts 3-6 overtopping umbel. Spikelets 4-6 to the spike, compressed, red; rhachilla winged; flowering glumes 8-26, obtuse, striate; nut ½ length of glume, black; style short, branches long.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Wadi El Omari & Khor Tamanib).

The roots are used as flour in times of scarcity and eaten roasted or boiled.

C. microbolbos C. B. Clarke.

Bulbed glabrous herb; stems 3 in. high, slender; stolons capillary, ending in minute bulbs. Leaves 6 in. long. Spikes 1 or 2 together, ped. ¼ in. long; bracts 2, longer than spike. Spikelets 3-5 per spike, ½ in. long, compressed red-brown, 24 fld.; glumes green-mucronate; sta. 3; style length of nut, branches long; nut ½ length of glume, brown.

Red Sea Prov. (coast-land to between 3,000-4,000 ft., Suakin).

C. esculentus Linn. SAAD—Arab.

Bulbed herb; stolons slender, ending in bulbs ½ in. diam., ringed by transverse lines; stems 6-24 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves up to ¾ length of stem. Umbel more or less compound, 3-12 in. diam.; bracts 3-5, ab. as long as umbel. Spikes of 4-30 spikelets which are ¼-¾ in. long, pale yellow to brown, 6-30 fld., rhachilla winged; glumes blunt, striate; style shorter than nut, branches long; nut ab. ½ length of glume.

Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

C. articulatus Linn.

Glabrous herb, stolons hardening into long rhizomes; stems 3-6 ft. high, when dry showing joints ½-1½ in. apart. Leaves reduced to sheaths. Umbel usually compound, 1-8 in. diam.; bracts elliptic-lanceolate. Spikelets 3-4 to spike, or more by congestion of spikes into one, ⅓-1 in. long, 12-50 fld., straw-coloured to brown; glumes obtuse; style branches long; nut 3/5 length of glume, black.

White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Jebel.

C. schimperianus Steud. DIS & SID—Arab.

Glabrous herb; rhizome woody; stems 1-3 ft. long. Leaves under ⅓ length of stem. Umbel usually compound, 3-10 in. diam.; bracts 4-7. Spikes of 3-20 loosely arranged, often drooping, 12-24 fld. spikelets, which are ½-¾ in. long, compressed, red-brown; rhachilla winged, wings deciduous; glumes distant, obtuse; style branches long; nut ½ length of glume.

Nubia; Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (Atbara: Shallalat); Khartoum Prov. (Nile near J. Royan); Fung Prov.

C. nubicus C. B. Clarke.

Glabrous herb; stolons hardening into rhizomes; stems up to 2 ft. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves 12 in. by ¼ in. Umbel compound, 5-8 in. diam. Spikelets numerous, rusty-red, up to 1 in. long, 20-30 fld., compressed; rhachilla wings ovate, deciduous; glumes acute, distant; style short, branches long; nut 2/5 length of glume, black. Bracts 3-4, longer than umbel.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).

C. schweinfurthianus Boeck.

Tall scabrous herb; stems 1-3 fl. long, 3-angled. Leaves ½-⅔ length of stem. Umbel irregular, simple or compound primary rays up to 12 in. long; bracts few to many, according to number of rays equalling or overtopping the umbel. Spikes loose; spikelets 3-9 per spike, 1 in. long, 20 fld., straw-coloured, compressed; wings of rhachilla oblong, deciduous; glumes distant, apiculate; style short, branches long; nut ½ length of glume, black.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

C. elatior Boeck.

Stem 30 in. high, stout, smooth. Umbel compound; rays up to 10 in. high; spikelets 1 in. long, 20-30 fld., suberect, otherwise as above.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

C. gracilinux C. B. Clarke.

Glabrous herb; stems 2 ft. high, 3-angled at top; stolons numerous. Leaves up to 16 in. long. Umbel compound, 6-12 in. diam.; bracts overtopping umbel. Spikes loose with 5-11 spikelets, which are ⅔ in. long, compressed, 10-16 fld., whitish; wings of rhachilla elliptic-lanceolate; glumes subobtuse, close; nut 3/5 length of glume.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

C. maculatus Boeck. SEID—Arab.

Glabrous herb; stems 12-20 in. long, 3-angled at top, bulbous at base. Leaves nearly length of stem. Umbel compound, of 5-11 spikelets, which are ½ in. long, compressed, 20 fld., straw-coloured, usually purple-spotted; rhachilla wings narrow; glumes obtuse, close; styles shorter than nut, branches exserted.

Nubia; Berber Prov. (Mograt Island near Abu Hamad); Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Khor Attar).

C. rotundus Linn.

Glabrous herb; stems 8-24 in. long, bulbous at base, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Umbel simple or compound, 1-8 in. diam.; rays long or short; bracts 3-4, overtopping umbel. Spikes loose; spikelets red-brown, ⅔ in. long and 8-30 fld., or 2 in. long and 50-60 fld.; rhachilla wings joining the pointed, closely placed glumes; style shorter than nut, branches long; nut ½ length of glume, dark brown.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, Wadi El Omari, Wadi El Arab); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Berber Prov. (Ben Naga, between Berber & Khartoum); Khartoum Prov. (North); Banks of the Blue Nile (Bunzaga); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid, Abu Haraza); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

Used in certain dye preparations to impart perfume to the fabric. The rhizomes yield an essential oil which is used as a perfume. The fresh roots are diaphoretic and astringent; they are used for indigestion in children and in fevers.

var. spadiceus Boeck.

Stem usually tall, scabrous at top. Spikelets strongly compressed, sometimes darker brown, shining.

Kordofan Prov.

C. nuerensis Boeck.

Glabrous herb; stolons hardening into rhizome, 8 in. long; stems 8-20 in. long, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, ⅓ in. broad. Umbel compound, 6-8 in. diam. (sometimes reduced to a head); primary rays 3-7; bracts 3-5, 2-6 in. broad; bracts 3-5 overtopping umbel. Spikes loose overtopping umbel. Spikes of 3-5 red-brown to nearly black spikelets, which are 2/5 in. long by 1/12 in., 8-16 fld.; wings of rhachilla ovate-lanceolate; glumes obtuse, reddish-black on sides and 5-nerved, yellow-green on back; otherwise as above sp.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near Nuer villages).

C. Fenzelianus Steud.

Tall herb; stolons long, thick. Umbel open. Spikelets pale to dusky straw-coloured; otherwise as C. rotundus.

Nubia; Berber Prov. (Zeidab); Between Berber & Khartoum: Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (J. Kuhn).

C. radiatus Vahl.

Glabrous herb; rhizome 0; lateral shoots at base of stem; stem 6-24 in. long. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Umbel up to 6-10 in. diam., but often contracted, sometimes into 1 dense head; bracts overtopping infl. Spikes digitate, 1 in. by ab. ½ in., almost sessile; spikelets 1/5-2/5 in. long, narrow, 10-36 fld., compressed, pale to brownish; wings of rhachilla oblong, persistent; glumes apiculate tightly imbricate; sta. 3; nut ½ length of glume; style ½ length of nut, branches short.

Nubia; Dongola; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas & Wau River; Bongo: Addai).

C. exaltatus Retz.

Stems up to 3-4 ft. high. Some spikes peduncled; spikelets larger, less crowded and more yellowish or reddish, but otherwise as above.

Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Harun; Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Sagattur); Upper White Nile Prov. (Tonga Island); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba).

var. dives C. B. Clarke.

Umbel rigid. Spikes rigid, dense; ripe spikelets divaricate or reflexed, hard, often shining and yellowish.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).

C. Pethericki C. B. Clarke.

Very tall, stout herb. Umbel large, compound with large cylindric spikes; lowest bract very long, ⅔ in. broad. Spikelets nearly ½ in. long, 36 fld., pale yellowish-brown; glumes thin; otherwise as C. exaltatus.

Mongalla Prov. (Gigging, Mongalla & 7° 25′ N.L.).

C. digitatus Roxb.

Glabrous herb; stem 2-6 ft. high, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Umbel compound, 8-24 in. diam.; lowest bract longer than umbel. Spike 2 by 1 in.; spikelets many, at right angles to spike, ab. ½ in. long, narrow, 20 fld., yellowish-brown; wings of rhachilla caducous, lanceolate, yellow; glumes scarcely mucronate, yellow and brown; sta. 3.; nut ½ length of glume, black; style shorter than nut. Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

C. auricomus Sieber.

Stem at top almost 3-winged; umbel not very large; otherwise as above.

Blue Nile Prov. (Khor Agalin at Doleib); Kordofan Prov. (Birket Kolli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ghaba Shambé; Bongo: Addai); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).

var. minor C. B. Clarke.

Slender; umbels small; spikelets slender, red-brown.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).

C. Papyrus Linn. var. Antiquorum C. B. Clarke. BURDI, DIS & BABIRUSA—Arab; BODUMOH—Zande; YELL—Nuer. The Papyrus Plant.

Plant up to 15 ft. high; rhizome woody; stems smooth with basal sheaths only. Leaves up to 1 in. by ⅓ in. on barren shoots. Umbels compound, up to 3 ft. diam.; primary rays up 30, up to 1 ft. long; bracts up to 7 in. long, reddish. Spikelets numerous sessile, ovate, ¼-⅓ in. long, compressed; bracts of secondary umbel 3, green, up to 2½ in. long. Spikes ab. 1 in. by ½ in. with 12-30 spreading spikelets; spikelets ⅓ long, brown; glumes ovate-oblong with a green median line; rhachilla wings yellow deciduous late; sta. 3; style length of nut; branches rather short; nut ½-3/5 length of glume, black.

White Nile and affluents; Bahr El Ghazal and affluents.

The slices of the stem, pressed together, were used by the ancient Egyptians as a writing material. Attempts have been made of recent years to utilise the plant for paper making and for fuel.

C. cephalotes Vahl.

Stolons slender; stem 6-10 in. long, 3-angled. Leaves longer or shorter than stem. Head globose, ½ diam.; bracts 3-4; spikelets numerous, sessile, ovate, ¼-⅓ in. long, compressed, 20-30 fld.; rhachilla not winged; glumes cuspidate, imbricate, red-brown; sta. 2-3; nut oblong, narrowed into a long beak, style jointed on beak of nut, slender, entire or 2-3 toothed.

Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).

828Mariscus[6] coloratus Nees. var. macrocephala C. B. Clarke.

Glabrous herb; stolons 0; stems 6-14 in. long, 3-angled at top, thickened at base by brownish leaf sheaths. Leaves up to length of stem, weak. Spikes 5-6, large, in one head; bracts 3-4, spreading, lowest 3-7 in. long; spikelets ovate or lanc., acute, 2-6 fld., straw-coloured; glumes subacute, 13-15 ribbed, margins running into the elliptic wings of rhachilla; style shorter than nut, branches longish; nut ½ length of glume, black; sta. 2-3.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Makporru Hill); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

M. djurensis C. B. Clarke.

Glabrous herb; stolons numerous, 1-2 in. long, red-scaly; stems approximate, 4-12 in. long, slender, 3-angled at top. Leaves up to length of stem, weak. Head 1, ovoid, ⅓ in. diam., whitish; bracts 4, up to 6 in. long. Spikelets 1/5 in. long, 2-6 fld.; glumes distant, ovate, 11-13 ribbed, with small red glands; nut ½-2/5 length of glume, black; style ab. same length.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas; Mongalla Prov. (Bor).

M. macropus C. B. Clarke.

Glabrous herb; stems 10-20 in. long, 3-angled at top, much thickened at base by fibrous remnants of sheaths, tufted. Leaves ½-⅔ length of stems, long-bristly at tips. Head 1, ovoid, ½ in. diam., dirty-white; bracts 3, lowest 1-2 in. long. Spikelets 1/5 in. long, 8-10 fld., producing 6-8 nuts; glumes obscurely 7-11 ribbed; nut ½-⅔ length of glume; style same length.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba & Jur Ghattas).

M. leptophyllus C. B. Clarke.

Glabrous herb; stems approximate, thickened at base by withering leaf-sheaths, 3-angled at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, weak. Infl. umbellate; rays 2-3, ¼-1½ in. long, each with 1-3 spikes; bracts 4, up to 6 in. long. Spikelets ⅓ in. long, white to brown, ripening 6-8 nuts; glumes obtuse, 7-ribbed, distant; nut ½-⅔ length of glume, brown; style shorter, branches exserted.

Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib).

M. mollipes C. B. Clarke.

Glabrous herb; stems thickened at base by fibrous torn leaf-sheaths, 3-angled at top, 4-6 in. long. Leaves ⅔ length of stem. Head of 1 spike, ovoid, pale straw-coloured; bracts 3-4, lowest up to 3 in. long. Spikelets ⅛ in. long, ripening 1 nut only; glumes ovate, acuminate, obscurely 5-7 ribbed; nut line.-obl., ½ length of glume, black; style shorter; branches long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Mayob).

M. Sieberianus Nees.

Glabrous herb; stems 12-30 in. long, 3-angled at top, thickened at base by green to red leaf-sheaths, approximate. Leaves up to ⅔ length of stem. Umbel simple, 1-5 in. diam.; rays 5-12 up to 4 in. long; bracts 5-10, lowest up to 8 in. long. Spikes solitary, ab. 1 in. by ¼ in., cylindric; bracts to spike 0; spikelets numerous, spreading or deflexed below, lin.-lanc., bearing 1 or 2 nuts; lowest flower-glume twice as long as upper empty glume, ovate-ob., obtuse, 7-11 ribbed; style ½ length of nut; branches length of nut; nut ⅔ length of glume.

Mongalla Prov. (Lado District & Bor).

M. umbellatus Vahl.

Some of rays of umbel many times longer than spikes, which are ½ by ⅙ in.; spikelets small, denser and more rigid than in above sp. and in fruit all strongly deflexed; nut almost ellipsoid; otherwise as above.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

The rhizomes are edible.

M. sublimis C. B. Clarke.

Umbel simple; rays 7-10, up to 2½ in. long. Spikes up to ¾ by ¼ in., dense, pale grey; ripe spikelets appressed, obliquely erect. Nut 1 only per spikelet, ellipsoid; otherwise as M. Sieberianus.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

M. macrocarpus Kunth.

Spikes ovoid, ab. ½ in. wide, subsessile or shortly peduncled. Ripe spikelets with 2-3 nuts; lowest empty glume mucronate. Nut ¾ length of glume, broadly oblong; otherwise as large forms of M. Sieberianus.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

(ii) Empty glumes at base of spikelet 0-2; fertile glumes usually numerous, spirally arranged with few exceptions (nearly distichous in some spp. of Fimbristylis); hypogynous scales or bristles 0-7; infl. umbellate or capitate; fl. hermaphrodite; stem naked (except Fuirena).

829Eleocharis fistulosa Schultes.

Glabrous herb; stolons long; stems 1-3 ft. long, sharply 3-angled at top, leafless. Infl. of 1 terminal spikelet, 1-1¼ by 1/6-1/5 in., straw-coloured to brown; fertile glumes numerous, obovate, obtuse; sta. 1-3; hypogynous bristles 6, as long as nut, retrorse, rusty-red; style 2-3-fid, base enlarged, distinct from nut which is ½ length of glume, straw-coloured, marked like a grill (cancellate).

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

E. atropurpurea Kunth.

Leafless glabrous annual; stems tufted, 2-6 in. long, slender. Spikelet 1, ovoid, ⅛-¼ in. long, many-fld., greenish-red; glumes obtuse, caducous; hypog. bristles 7, white, ½-¾ length of nut, retrorse, sometimes short or reduced to a minute cup; style branches 2, ½-⅔ length of glume, black.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

E. chætaria Roem. & Schultes.

Glabrous leafless herb; stems tufted 1-6 in. long. Spikelets 1-2, ⅛-⅙ in. long, ovoid, pallid or reddish, maturing 1-5 nuts; hypog. bristles 6, retrorse, length of nut, sometimes fewer; sta. 2-3; styles 3-fid; nut obovoid white, cancellate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

E. complanata C. B. Clarke.

Glabrous leafless annual; stems tufted, 6-9 in. long, flattened. Spikelet ab. ⅙ in. long, cylindric, green marked with red, densely fld.; glumes obtuse; hypog. bristles 0; style 3-fid; nut ½ length of glume, white; style base bulbous, small.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir).

E. microcarpa Torrey.

Glabrous leafless annual; stems tufted, 4-8 in. long.—Spikelet ⅙-¼ in. long, 10-20 fld., pale brown-green; glumes obtuse; hypog. bristles 3-5, ⅓-⅔ length of nut, retrorse, white; style 3-fid; nut hardly ½ length of glume, brownish.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

830Fimbristylis squarrosa Vahl.

Annual; stems tufted, 2-7 in. long. Leaves ½-¾ length of stem. Umbel usually compound, sometimes reduced to 2 spikelets to a stem; bracts 3-4 ab. as long as umbel; spikelets solitary up to ¼ by 1/12 in.; fl. dense, straw-coloured; glumes 3-5 nerved ending in recurved bristle; sta. usually 2, style 2-fid, hairy below bifurcation and round base of style; hypog. bristles 0 in this genus; nut ½ length of glume, biconvex.

White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Majob & Wau).

F. dichotoma Vahl.

Pubescent or puberulous annual; stems tufted, 2-10 in. long. Leaves length of stem. Umbel compound; bracts 3-4 as long as umbel. Spikelets many, solitary, ¼ in. long, obscurely polygonal; fertile glumes in many spirals, rust-coloured, ovate acute, greenish or yellowish keeled; style 2-fid, flattened, pubescent on margins; nut ⅓ length of glume, biconvex, 5-9 ribbed, white.

Nubia; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (Shendi); Khartoum Prov. (Tuti Island); Fung Prov. (Abdin); White Nile Prov. (Geteina).

F. diphylla Vahl.

Annual, glabrous to pubescent; stems tufted, 4-28 in. long. Leaves ⅓-⅔ length of stem. Umbel compound of usually many spikelets; bracts 3-4, shorter than umbel. Spikelets solitary, ¼-½ in. long, terete, straw-coloured, rusty brown, or variegated; fertile glumes hardly keeled, often ciliate; style 2-fid, dilated at base, flattened, villous on margins; nut ⅓ length of glume, biconvex, whitish.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli, Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas & Jur Aweit; Bongo-land: Addai); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

F. ferruginea Vahl.

Herb, frequently biennial; stems tufted, 8-28 in. long. Leaves from ⅓ length of stem to almost absent, hairy or glabrous. Umbel simple or slightly compound, of usually 5-10 spikelets; bracts shorter than umbel. Spikelets solitary, 2/5 in. long, ovoid oblong, dense, rust-coloured, more or less variegated with red-brown or green; glumes ovate, upper part of back grey-puberulous. Style 2-fid, longer than nut, flattened; nut ½ length of glume, biconvex, pale yellow to brown.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

F. exilis Roem. & Schultes.

Hairy annual; stems tufted, 4-16 in. long. Leaves ⅓-½ length of stem. Umbel of 3-14 pedicelled spikelets; bracts 3-4, as long as umbel. Spikelets ¼-⅓ in. long, 10-12 fld., pale rusty and chestnut; glumes ovate, acute, pubescent, keeled and mucronate; sta. 2-3; style slightly shorter than nut, 3-fid, base dilated with a constriction; nut ab. ½ length of glume, 3-angled, transversely wrinkled, white to pale brown.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé, Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

F. cioniana P. Savi.

Umbel of 10-25 spikelets, rather dense. Spikelets 1/8-1/5 in. long, pale-rusty; points of glumes rather long; nut small, yellowish, with transverse lines; otherwise as above.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

F. Schweinfurthiana Boeck.

Glabrous herb; stems tufted, 8-12 in. long: basal sheaths brown, fringed. Leaf of uppermost sheath ½ length of stem. Umbel of 2-9 spikelets, subcompound; bracts 2-3, ½ in. long. Spikelets 1/5 by ⅛ in., dull brown; glumes obtuse; style shorter than nut, deciduous with pyramidal base, branches 3, long; nut less than ½ length of glume, smooth, brown.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

F. subaphylla Boeck.

Glabrous herb; rhizome short; stems approximate, 12-16 in. long, 4-angled at top. Leaves ½-2 in. long. Umbel 2-4 in. diam., of 30-60 spikelets; bracts 2-3, under 1 in.; spikelets ⅓ by 1/12 in., 5-14 fld., light brown; style longer than nut, deciduous with style base, 3-fid; nut ab. ⅓ length of glume, obovoid, smooth or warted, white or yellowish.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (main river).

F. monostachya Vahl.

Glabrous herb; stems tufted, 2-16 in. long. Leaves ½ length of stem. Spikelet usually 1 (1-3) on each stem, ½ by 1/5 in. and few-flowered or larger and many-fld., greenish-white or yellowish; glumes ovate, keeled, mucronate, lower distichous, upper spiral; style longer than nut, hairy deciduous with base, 3-fid; nut less than ½ length of glume, pyriform, straw-coloured or pale brown, tubercled.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nganye).

F. falcifolia Boeck.

Pale green, glabrous herb; stems tufted, 4-6 in. long, 5-angled compressed. Leaves few, 2-3 in. long, falcate, margins serrulate, sheaths short. Umbel subcompound, 5-7 rayed; bracts 3-4, ab. ½ length of umbel; rays capillary, up to 1 in. long, with 2-3 branches. Spikelets obl.-lanc., 10-13 fld., ¼ in. long; glumes rigid, appressed, broad ovate, shortly mucronate; nut under ½ length of glume, pale straw-coloured.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).

831Bulbostylis sphærocarpus C. B. Clarke.

Tufted annual; stem 2-5 in. long, glabrous, with 1 spikelet. Leaves ¾ length of stem, capillary minutely hairy, sheaths somewhat bearded in mouth. Bract ½ in. long, setaceous; spikelet ¼ by 1/14 in., bearing a few nuts at base, male above; fertile glumes ovate, acuminate, rust-coloured, scabrous-hairy; hypog. bristles, none in this genus; sta. 2-3; style 3-fid, nearly as long as nut, base persistent on nut, black; nut less than ½ length of glume, obovoid, transverse-wavy, straw-coloured.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).

B. filamentosa Kunth.

Tufted herb; stems 8-20 in. long, 3-angled and hairy at top. Leaves ⅔ length of stem, setaceous; sheaths hairy, with long white hairs in the throat. Head 1, 1/3-2/5 in. diam., of 6-14 bright brown spikelets; bracts 2-3, lowest overtopping the head. Spikelets 1/6 by 1/12 in., to 6-10 fld.; glumes ovate, pubescent; sta. 3; style 3-fid, base persistent, ovoid, slightly darker than nut; nut 2/5 length of glume, acutely 3-angled, pallid, with obscure transverse lines.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

B. pusilla C. B. Clarke.

Tufted annual; stems 1-5 in. long with 1-9 spikelets, glabrous. Leaves ½ length of stems, setaceous. Spikelets in simple or compound lax umbel, all solitary or some clustered 2-3 together; bracts short, setaceous; spikelets ab. ⅛ by ½ in., but sometimes up ¼ in. broad, ab. 12 fld.; glumes ovate; sta. 2; style 3-fid, length of nut, base persistent; nut ⅔ length of glume, broadly obovoid, black with 2 transverse wavy lines.

Kordofan Prov. (El Abiad).

B. abortiva C. B. Clarke.

Densely tufted herb; stems 6-24 in. long, very slender, glabrous. Leaves ½ length of stem, filiform; sheath with few white hairs at throat. Umbel up to 4-6 in. diam., compound; bracts much shorter than umbel, setaceous. Spikelets numerous, pedicelled; otherwise as above.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

B. coleotricha C. B. Clarke.

Stems densely tufted, 4-16 in. long, very slender, minutely hairy at top. Leaves ½ length of stem, setaceous; sheaths with long white hairs in throat. Umbel usually simple or compound, 2 in. diam., of numerous solitary spikelets (rarely 1-3 spikelets only); bracts setaceous, often overtopping umbel. Spikelets ovoid, ¼ in. long, brown; glumes ovate, obtuse, keel green; style 3-fid, as long as nut, base persistent as a small, dark button; nut ½ length of glume, pale brown, smooth, appearing dotted.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

832Scirpus cubensis Poeppig & Kunth.

Glabrous, except glumes; stolons present or stem decumbent and rooting; stem 1-2 ft. long, stout 3-angled at top, nodeless. Leaves ab. as long as stem, 1/5 in. broad. Umbel simple; heads 1-12, stellate-globose, ½ in. diam., on ped. ½-2½ in. long; bracts up to 5-10, up to 1 ft. long. Spikelets numerous in head, ⅙-⅓ in. long, many fld.; glumes ovate, acute, rigid, margins ciliate; hypog. bristles 0; sta. 1-3; style linear, confluent into ovary, 2-fid; nut ⅔ length of glume, narrowly obovoid, corky at base, smooth, beaked.

Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Main river).

S. supinus Linn.

Glabrous annual; stems tufted; nodeless, 2-12 in. long, terete. Leaves usually under 1 in. long. Head 1; lowest bract continuing the stem; 1-6 in. long. Spikelets 1-7 in the head, 1/5-½ in. long, ellipsoid, dusky green; glumes ovate, acute, entire at tip; hypog. bristles 0; style linear, usually 3-fid; nut obovoid, black with transverse wavy lines.

Darfur Prov.

S. articulatus Linn.

Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 2-12 in. long, when dry showing transverse false septa. Leaves 0. Head 1, globose, apparently lateral owing to lowest bract (terete as the stem) continuing the latter, and up to 2 ft. long. Spikelets ¼-¾ in. long, cylindric, green or mottled-purple and brown; glumes ovate, incurved, tip entire; hypog. bristles 0; style linear, 3-fid; nut ab. ½ length of glume, brown, smooth or transversely wavy.

Blue Nile Prov. (Ganeib Assad); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad); White Nile Prov. (Kosti); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas & Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba; Bongo: Gir & Atuoli).

S. corymbosus Roth.

Glabrous herb; rhizome 2-4 in. long; stems 3 ft. long, stout, terete. Leaves 0. Umbel apparently lateral, the lower bract 1-4 in. long continuing the stem. Spikelets clustered, ¼-⅓ in. long, ellipsoid, dusky brown; glumes ovate, mucronate, glabrous; hypog. bristles 0; style linear, 3-fid; nut 2/5 length of glume, 3-angled, black, smooth, slightly wavy.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Mid Robo 8,700 ft.).

S. maritimus Linn.

Glabrous herb; stolons becoming rhizomes; stems 1-3 ft. long, stout, 3-angled. Leaves as long as stem, ¼-⅓ in. broad. Umbel compound or simple or reduced to a head of 1-3 spikelets, rarely over 4-6 in. diam.; bracts several, lowest up to 8 in. long. Spikelets 30-40 to the umbel, oblong, ½-1 in. long, dark brown, often clustered; glumes ovate emarginate and mucronate, hairy at tip; hypog. bristles 3-6, usually shorter than nut; style long, branches 2-3, long; nut variable in size, 3-angled, obovoid, black, smooth or reticulate.

Berber Prov. (Shendi).

S. kyllingioides Boeck.

Glabrous perennial; stems rarely over 6 in. long, slender, nodeless. Leaves ½ length of stem. Head 1, subglobose, ab. ⅙ in. diam., green or pale brown with glume points prominent on all sides; bracts 3-4, spreading, longer than head. Glumes ovate, contracted into a linear obtuse end; hypog. bristles 0; style shorter than nut; branches 3, long; nut ⅓ length of glume, smooth, black-brown.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Gendua River); Fung Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

S. squarrosus Linn.

Small glabrous, tufted annual; stems 2-8 in. high, nodeless. Leaves ⅓ length of stem. Head of 1-6 (rarely 10) squarrose spikelets; bracts 3-5, 1-4 in. long. Spikelets ⅛-¼ in. long, many-fld., greenish or brownish; glumes caducous in fruit, narrowly obovate, narrowed into a mucro not longer than glume; hypog. bristles 0; style hardly any, branches 3 short, recurved; nut ⅔ length of glume, obovoid, 3-angled, smooth; sta. 1, or rarely 2.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

S. Isolepis Boeck.

Glabrous annual; stems tufted, 1-10 in. long, setaceous. Leaves ¼-1½ in. long, setaceous. Spikelet 1 to a stem, ⅛-⅙ in. long, ovoid, not squarrose, nut-coloured, apparently lateral owing to ¼-1 in. long bract continuing the stem; glumes obovate, triangular at top, caducous in fruit; hypog. bristles 0, but a very thin scale is sometimes present; sta. 1-2; style hardly any, branches 2, short, recurved; nut length of glume, black, smooth.