upper part; the pale brown sheaths at the base of the stem
torn and reticulated at their edges. Leaves as tall as or taller
than the stem, glaucous, flat, but folded at the midrib, smooth
at the edges and keel except towards the end, where those
parts are rough. Spikes 3 or 4, oblong, sessile, near together,
the lower one often rather distant and shortly stalked, middle
ones smallest, upper one barren at its base. Bracts rough at
the edges and keel, without sheaths, the lowest often rising
above the stem. Glumes lanceolate, cuspidate, brown, the
nerve pale green, the lower glumes usually longer than the
fruit. Fruit (utriculus) glaucous green tinged with brown,
oval, compressed, or ultimately bluntly trigonous, obtuse, with
two small, acute, prominent teeth at the mouth, and 5 or 7
rather obscure nerves upon each side. Nut obovate, trigonous,
blunt, apiculate. Style single. Stigmas 3.
Discovered, in 1835, by D. Moore, Esq., on a small island
in Lough Neagh near Toom Bridge, flowering in June. To
that gentleman we are indebted for the specimens by the aid
of which the plate has been prepared. Dr. Boott states that
the original Lapland specimens of C. canescens belong to the
present species, and that therefore that name ought to be
retained; but as Wahlenberg’s name is universally adopted,
and various species have been denominated C. canescens, it
has been thought better that this plant should still be called
C. Buxbaumii.—C. C. B.