UW Burke Herbarium species comparison

Leaves mostly basal, staying attached for many years, linear to linear-lanceolate, sessile, 4-10 mm. long, glabrous or scabrous.

Leaves numerous, opposite, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, 1-2 cm. long and 3-9 mm. broad, thin, pointed, short-petiolate or sessile.

Flowers single, from nearly sessile or with peduncles up to 4 cm. long, usually dioecious;

calyx tubular, 5-lobed, 3-10 mm. long, pinkish;

petals 5, pink to lavender, 8-12 mm. long, the claw about twice as long as the blade;

blade appendages 2, very small or lacking;

stamens 10;

styles 3.

Flowers perfect, 2-several in an open, leafy inflorescence;

calyx 5-lobed, tubular, about 7.5 mm. long, 10-nerved;

petals 5, purplish, the claw about 6 mm. long and the blade about 2-3 mm. long, oblong, bi-lobed to mid-length, with a small lateral tooth below each lobe; appendages very small;

stamens 10;

styles 3, exerted.

Capsule 3-celled, opening by 6 teeth.

Capsule 1-celled.