Flora of North America species comparison

erect, not stiff, 15–90 cm.

30–80 cm.

sheaths pale brown abaxially, inner band thin, hyaline, sometimes slightly red tinged, concave at summit;

ligules slightly longer than wide;

blades pale green to gray-green flat, 10–20(–30) cm × (1.5–)2–4 mm, subequal to shorter than culms, not stiff.

3–5.7 mm wide, glabrous.

2–15 cm × 5–10 mm;

proximal bracts shorter than to exceeding spikes;

distal bracts usually scalelike.

4–8, gynecandrous, proximal ± remote, distal spikes approximate, sometimes flexuous, containing (5–)10–20(–30) perigynia suborbicular to oblong, 3–12 × 3–5 mm;

terminal spike staminate for less than 1/2 of length, often clavate due to more conspicuous staminate part.

1–2(–3), erect;

lateral spikes, if present, usually pistillate;

terminal spike gynecandrous;

staminate portion 5–18 × 1–3.5 mm;

pistillate portion ovate or oblong, 11–35 × 12–20 mm.

appressed-ascending, gray-green, becoming yellowish brown, obscurely many-veined, elliptic-ovate, 1.8–3 × 1.2–1.7 mm, widest near middle, membranous;

beak abaxial suture inconspicuous, small marginal teeth.

widely radiating, the proximal reflexed, 5.8–9.7 × 1.9–3.3 mm, smooth;

beak 2.1–3.8 mm, usually smooth.

pale brown, oblong-obovate, 1.25–1.5 × 1–1.25 mm, dull to slightly glossy.

sides often flat, 2.3–3 × 1.1–1.4 mm, 1.9–2.5 times as long as wide;

style persistent, sinuous.

scales hyaline with green, 3-veined center when young, usually brownish tinged in age, broadly ovate, subequal to, not concealing perigynia, apex obtuse to acutish.

scales 3–4.5 × 0.5–1.1 mm, apex sharply acute or with short, scabrous awn, hidden by perigynia.

scales 3.5–7.1 × 1–2 mm, apex acute, sharp or blunt.

= 56.

= 56.