Flora of North America species comparison

1–2, not clustered on stout, primary rhizome, ovoid to ± globose, 1–1.4 × 0.1–0.14 cm;

outer coats enclosing single bulb, reddish brown, membranous, usually lacking cellular reticulation or cells arranged in only 2–3 rows distal to roots, ± quadrate, without fibers;

inner coats pale brown to white, cells obscure, quadrate.

persistent, withering from tip by anthesis, 1, basally sheathing, sheath not extending much above soil surface;

blade solid, terete, 12–30 cm × 1–3 mm.

persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, 5–15 cm × 1–2 mm.

persistent, erect, compact, 5–30-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown;

spathe bracts persistent, 2–3, 4–6-veined, lance-ovate to ovate, ± equal, apex acuminate.

urceolate, 9–17 mm;

tepals erect, purple, lanceolate to lance-ovate, unequal, becoming rigid and ± keeled in fruit, margins minutely denticulate at least distally, apex acute, ± straight at tip, inner slightly shorter and narrower than outer;

stamens included;

anthers yellow;

pollen yellow;

ovary crested;

processes 6, prominent, ± triangular, margins entire to notched or irregularly papillose;

style linear, equaling stamens;

stigma capitate, 3-lobed, lobes slender, recurved;

pedicel 5–25 mm.

coat dull or shining;

cells minutely roughened.

= 14.