Cladium

views updated

Cladium (family Cyperaceae, *tribe Rhynchosporoideae) A genus of rhizomatous (see RHIZOME) herbs which have smooth, leafy stems. The leaves are long and linear, a number of them arising at the base of the stem. The flowers are bisexual, or sometimes the upper or lower are male. There is no perianth; there are 2 or 3 stamens and the same number of stigmas. The ovary is superior and unilocular, with 2 or 3 fused carpels. The fruit is a globular or trigonous nut with much endosperm. There are 2 species, found in tropical and temperate marshy regions. C. mariscus (saw sedge) is used for thatch in Europe.