Flora of North America species comparison

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

basally cormlike, trigonous, 30–100 cm × 2–4 mm, glabrous.

bladeless.

V-shaped to flat, 20–70 cm × 3–8 mm, adaxial surface, margins minutely scabridulous.

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.

spikes loose, broadly ellipsoid to ovoid, 4–7 × 2–6 cm;

rays 6–13(–16), 4–25 cm, glabrous;

rachis 1.5–3 cm;

bracts 3–6, horizontal to ascending at 30°, flat, 5–35 cm × 2.5–6 mm;

rachilla persistent, wings 0.4–0.5 mm wide.

(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.

(13–)20–60(–74), linear, ± terete, (11–)13–25(–28) × 1.2–1.5 mm;

distal spikelets spreading or ascending;

floral scales persistent, (2–)3–6, stramineous, red-purple striate, laterally 3–5-ribbed, ovate-lanceolate, 4.5–5.3 × 1.2–1.5 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.

anthers 1–1.5 mm;

styles 1.5 mm;

stigmas 1.5 mm.

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

brown to purplish brown, oblong-linear (5–6 times long as wide), 2.6–3 × 0.5–0.6 mm, base cuneate, apex obtuse, surfaces puncticulate.