Flora of North America species comparison

1–3, not clustered on stout primary rhizome, ovoid to subglobose, 1–2 × 0.9–1.7 cm;

outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, brown to yellow-brown or gray, membranous, ± prominently cellular-reticulate, cells in ± regular vertical rows, narrowly rectangular, transversely elongate, without fibers;

inner coats white, cells obscure, narrowly rectangular, transversely elongate, or quadrate.

usually deciduous with scape, green or withering only at tip at anthesis, 2, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface;

blade solid, flat, falcate, 9–18 cm × 2–3 mm, margins entire.

usually forming abcission layer and deciduous with leaves after seeds mature, frequently breaking at this level after pressing, solitary, erect, solid, ± flattened, not winged, 3–10 cm × 1–2 mm.

persistent, erect, ± compact, 6–20-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown;

spathe bracts persistent, 2, 6–9-veined, lanceolate to ovate, ± equal, apex acute to abruptly acuminate.

narrowly campanulate, 6–13 mm;

tepals erect, white to pinkish with narrow to very broad, purple midvein, oblong-lanceolate, ± equal, becoming papery, investing capsule in fruit, margins entire, apex obtuse;

stamens included;

anthers light yellow;

pollen yellow;

ovary crested;

processes 3, central, low, rounded, broad, margins entire;

style linear, equaling stamens;

stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed;

pedicel 5–11 mm.

coat dull;

cells smooth.

= 14.