Flora of North America species comparison

1–5+, usually clustered, often short-rhizomatous at base, rhizome not stout or iris-like, ovoid, 2–4 × 1–2.5 cm;

outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, grayish or brownish, membranous, fibers parallel, few, or sometimes reticulate, cells obscure, finely meshed;

inner coats whitish to pinkish, cells obscure, ± quadrate.

1–5, not clustered on stout, primary rhizome, ovoid to globose, 0.7–1.5 × 0.6–1.4 cm;

outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, brown to grayish brown, membranous, usually distinctly cellular-reticulate, cells isodiametric or ± narrowly hexagonal, transversely elongate, without fibers;

inner coats red to purple or white, cells obscure, quadrate to ± transversely elongate.

persistent, green at anthesis, 3–5, basally sheathing, sheaths never extending much above soil level;

blade solid, flat, channeled, 14–35 cm × 1–5 mm, margins ± entire.

usually persistent, green at anthesis, 2, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface;

blade solid, flat or channeled, ± falcate, 8–27 cm × 1–3 mm, margins entire.

persistent, solitary, erect, or, if nodding at anthesis, becoming erect, solid, terete or ± 4-angled, particularly distally, 20–50 cm × 1–3.5 mm.

persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, 3–10(–20) cm × 1–3 mm.

persistent, nodding, becoming erect, ± loose, 9–40-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown;

spathe bracts persistent, 2, 2–4-veined, lanceolate, ± equal, apex acuminate.

persistent, erect, compact, 8–25-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown;

spathe bracts persistent, 2, 7–10-veined, ovate, ± equal, apex acuminate.

stellate, 5–8 mm;

tepals spreading, deep pink, elliptic-lanceolate, ± equal, withering in fruit, margins entire, apex acute, midribs not thickened;

stamens exserted;

anthers yellow;

pollen yellow;

ovary conspicuously crested;

processes 6, distinct, flattened, ± triangular, margins entire or toothed;

style exserted, linear, ± equaling stamens;

stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed;

pedicel 0–20 mm.

campanulate, 5–8 mm;

tepals erect, white with prominent green to purplish midvein, lanceolate to elliptic, ± equal, becoming involute at tip and rigid in fruit, margins entire, apex obtuse to acuminate;

stamens included;

anthers yellow;

pollen yellow or white;

ovary crestless or obscurely crested;

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

style linear, equaling stamens;

stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed;

pedicel 5–15 mm.

coat dull;

cells minutely roughened.

coat shining;

cells smooth.

= 14.

= 14.