UW Burke Herbarium species comparison

Basal leaves stiff, narrowly linear, 5-9 dm. long and 10-15 mm. broad;

cauline leaves reduced upward.

Leaves basal, linear, 2-4 dm. long and 5-12 mm broad.

Inflorescence branched, few to several flowered, 1.5-5 dm. long;

flowers pale to deep yellow, purple-lined; pedicles up to 5 cm. long;

perianth parts fused in a tube at the base, the tube about about 12 mm. long;

sepals 3, obovate, spreading, about 5 cm. long;

petals 3, much shorter and narrower than the sepals, upright;

stamens 3, opposite the sepals;

style branches 3, about 22 mm. long, with 2 terminal lobes less than as long;

stigma triangular;

ovary inferior.

Flowers usually 2, pale to deep blue, purple-lined, subtended by a pair of involucral leaves;

pedicels stout, up to 6 cm. long;

perianth parts fused in a tube at the base, the tube 5-8 mm. long;

sepals 3, oblanceolate, 5-6 cm. long, spreading and reflexed;

petals 3, shorter and narrower than the sepals, erect;

stamens 3, opposite the sepals;

style branches 3, 20-25mm. long, with 2 terminal lobes about as long;

stigma broad and slightly notched;

ovary inferior.

Capsule 3-celled, leathery, 5-8 cm. long.

Capsule 3-celled, spindle-shaped, leathery, 3-5 cm. long.