Flora of North America species comparison

to 100 cm × 2 mm, scabrous.

30–80 cm.

sheath fronts spotted red-brown or pale brown, apex truncate or short-convex, membranous or hyaline, rugose;

ligule retuse or rounded, to 2 mm, free limb to 0.2 mm;

blades 120 cm × 5 mm, longer than flowering stem.

3.9–8.7 mm wide, glabrous.

spicate, (3–)7–10 cm × 15 mm, with 10–15 branches, the proximal branches distinctly separate; the proximal internode to 25 mm;

bracts setaceous, those subtending at least the proximal lateral branches conspicuous.

(1–)2–4(–6), erect;

lateral spikes usually pistillate;

terminal spike gynecandrous; staminate portion 4–11 × 1–3.5 mm; pistillate portion oblong to elliptic, 10–43 × 10–16 mm.

green to pale brown, veinless on both faces or 3-veined abaxially, body ovate or elliptic, 2–3.2 × 1.3–1.8 mm, base obtuse;

beak 0.8–1.2 mm, 1/3–1/2 length of perigynium.

appressed-ascending, the proximal not reflexed, 5.5–7.8 × 2–3 mm, smooth;

beak 2.3–2.9 mm, often sparingly scabrous.

red-brown, ovate, 1.2–1.4 × 1 mm, glossy.

sides often concave, 2–2.6 × 1.4–1.7 mm, 1.2–1.9 times as long as wide;

style deciduous, straight.

pale brown, hyaline, awn to 3 mm.

scales 2.3–5.5 × 1.2–1.7 mm, apex acute, sharp or blunt, hidden by perigynia.

scales 4.2–5.8 × 1.4–2 mm, apex acute, sharp or blunt.

= 52.