Flora of North America species comparison

1–6(–25), trigonous to roundly trigonous, (0.5–)2–5(–9) cm × 0.2–0.4–(0.6) mm, glabrous.

roundly trigonous, 200–350 cm × 15–50 mm, glabrous.

1–6, V-shaped, 1–6 cm × 0.3–1 mm.

bladeless.

heads digitate, loosely ovoid, 3–18 × 3–26 mm;

rays (0–)1–6(–8), 2.5–20(–30) mm;

bracts 2–3(–5), horizontal to ascending at 45(–60)°, V-shaped, 2–60 × 0.3–1.2 mm.

spikes loosely cylindric, 15–40 × 8–16 mm;

rays 5–8, ascending to erect, stiff,20–30 cm; 2d order rays 5–15 cm;

bracts 10–12, ascending at 30–60°, flat, (8–) 20–45 cm × 4–12 mm; 2d order bracts (5–)15–25 cm × 1.5–5 mm;

rachilla persistent, separating laterally, remaining firmly attached basally, wings 0.3–0.4 mm wide.

(3–)10–20(–30), greenish to reddish brown, narrowly ellipsoid to oblong, 3–11 × (0.8–)1.2–1.5 mm;

floral scales (3–)6–20(–28), laterally greenish to reddish brown, glossy, medially greenish to light reddish brown, strongly recurved, laterally ribless, medially strongly 3-ribbed, oblong-ovate, (0.8–)1–1.3 × 0.8–1(–1.2) mm, apex emarginate, cusp 0.6–1.2 mm.

(15–)50–80, slightly compressed, linear, ± quadrangular, 5–12 × 0.6–1.4 mm;

floral scales 8–20, appressed, reddish beside 5-ribbed green medial part, white to hyaline near margins, ovate, 1.8–2.2 × 1.2–1.5 mm, apex acute to obtuse.

stamens 2 or 3;

anthers oblong-ovoid, 0.1(–0.2) mm;

styles (0.2–)0.4–0.6 mm;

stigmas 0.3–0.5 mm.

anthers 0.7–1 mm (connective prolonged beyond anther as red subulate appendage 0.2–0.5 mm, its apex sometimes setose);

styles 0.2–0.5 mm;

stigmas (0.8–)1.2–1.8 mm.

brown, oblong-obovoid, (0.5–)0.6 × (0.3–)0.4 mm, base cuneate, apex blunt, surfaces coarsely papillose.

pale brown, sessile, oblong, 0.9–1 × 0.4–0.5 mm, apex scarcely apiculate, surfaces puncticulate.