Eleocharis Palustris R. Brown, p. 144

19 Eleocharis palustris, Robert Brown.

Syn. E. calva Tor. Scirpus palustris Linn. S.
glaucus Torr. S. glaucestens Willd.

Culms nearly terete, striate; spike
oblong-lanceolate, pointed, many flowered; scales
ovate-oblong loosely imbricated, the two lowest
large, orbicular, empty; achenium obovate;
tubercle short; bristles usually 4, longer than
the achenium. Culms from 1 to 2 feet
high. Flowers in June.

In shallow water of swamps and wet
grounds generally. Milwaukee to the
St Croix river in Wisconsin; also in Illinois
Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and about Lake Superior.
This species is found native in the southern states, in Europe, the
East Indies and the Sandwich Islands.

This is one of the few plants of this
family which have been found to contain
medicinal qualities: the flowering tops, seeds,
and roots being astringent, have been employed
in decoction, in diarrhea and homorrhages [hemorrhages].
It is not however thus employed in this country.*

Plate I fig 6. a. the spike; b. a flower, c the scale

* Dr A. Clapp. Jr. of Am. Med. Association Vol 5. 1852 p. 207