POLLINATION by means of the wind. Protogynous. Sometimes self-pollinated. The order embraces nearly 3,000 species, found all over the world. _Carex_ and _Scirpus_ are most numerous in cold and temperate climates, and become less numerous towards the equator. The reverse is the case with _Cyperus_ and other tropical genera. They generally confine themselves to sour, swampy districts; some, on the other hand, are characteristic of sand-dunes, such as Sand-star (_Carex arenaria_). There are about 70 native species of _Carex_. USES. In spite of their large number, the Cyperaceæ are of no importance as fodder-grasses, as they are dry and contain a large amount of silica; hence the edges of many of the triangular stems or leaves are exceedingly sharp and cutting. _Cyperus esculentus_ has tuberous rhizomes, which contain a large amount of fatty oil and are edible (earth-almonds); it has its home in the countries of the Mediterranean, where it is cultivated. _Cyperus papyrus_ (W. Asia, Egypt, Sicily) attains a height of several metres, and has stems of the thickness of an arm which were used by the ancient Egyptians for making paper (papyrus). Some serve for plaiting, mats, etc. (_Scirpus lacustris_, etc.). _Isolepis_ is an ornamental plant. [Illustration: FIG. 287.--_Triticum_: _A_ axis (rachis) of ear showing the notches where the spikelets were inserted; _B_ an entire spikelet; _C_ a flower with the pales; _D_ a flower without the pales, showing the lodicules at the base; _E_ glume; _F_ outer pale; _G_ inner pale; _H_ fruit; _I_ longitudinal section of fruit.]