Flora of North America species comparison

erect, branched, usually (0.3–)0.5–1.5(–3) m;

proximal branches often ascending.

erect to ascending, much-branched from base, 0.3–1 m.

long-petiolate;

blade obovate or rhombic-obovate to elliptic proximally, sometimes lanceolate distally, 1.5–7 × 1–3.5 cm, base broadly to narrowly cuneate, margins entire, plane, apex subobtuse to acute, usually with terminal mucro.

petiole shorter than blade;

blade ovate, or rhombic-ovate to elliptic, 1.5–4 × 0.5–2 cm, thick, coarse, base cuneate to rounded, margins entire, plane or irregularly undulate, apex rounded-obtuse to emarginate, with terminal mucro.

of pistillate flowers with long-excurrent midrib, 4–6 mm, longer than tepals, apex acuminate or mucronulate; of staminate flowers, 4 mm, equaling or longer than outer tepals, apex long-acuminate.

of pistillate flowers with short, excurrent midrib, 1.5–2.5 mm, shorter than tepals, apex acute or acuminate; of staminate flowers shorter than tepals, apex acute.

terminal, linear spikes to panicles, usually drooping, occasionally erect, especially when young, with few axillary clusters, uninterrupted or interrupted in proximal part of plant.

mostly terminal, spikes to panicles, usually erect, thick, flexible.

tepals 5, unequal, 2–4 mm, apex acute;

inner tepals with prominent midrib excurrent as rigid spine, apex long-acuminate or mucronulate;

stamens 5.

tepals 5, equal, 2–3 mm, apex obtuse to subacute;

inner tepals: with apex indistinctly mucronulate;

stamens 5.

tepals 1.7–3.8 mm, apex acuminate, mucronulate;

style branches spreading;

stigmas 2(–3).

tepals with dark, prominent midrib not excurrent, spatulate, subequal, 2–3 mm, apex obtuse to subacute, with terminal mucro;

style branches spreading;

stigmas 3.

dark reddish brown to brown, 1–1.2 mm diam., shiny.

dark brown, 1.2–1.7 mm diam., shiny.

tan to brown, occasionally reddish brown, obovoid to subglobose, 1.5–2 mm, shorter than tepals, at maturity walls thin, almost smooth or indistinctly rugose.

light brown, elliptic, 3 mm, equaling tepals, walls somewhat fleshy, smooth, indehiscent.