Flora of North America species comparison

basally swollen and cormlike, trigonous, (1–)20–40(–90) cm × 1–6 mm, glabrous or few prickles subapically.

trigonous, 20–36 cm × 0.5–1 mm.

flat, (10–)20–40 cm × 1–4(–8) mm, margins and midribs glabrous or scabridulous.

flat, 4–22 cm × 1–2 mm.

spikes 1–4, loosely ovoid to oblong-cylindric; (6–)10–28(–50) × 10–40 mm;

rays sometimes absent, usually (1–)3–6(–8), 0.5–7(–25) cm;

if absent, inflorescence a congested head; 2d order rays sometimes present, 1–4(–9) cm;

rachis 8–18(–25) mm;

bracts (3–)5–7(–10), ascending at 30–45°, cross ribs sometimes conspicuous, (1–)10–30(–45) cm × (1–)2–4(–12) mm;

rachilla ± deciduous, wings 0.4–0.5 mm wide.

a single loose cluster of spikelets;

rays 0–(1–2), if present, to 4 cm;

bracts 2–3, ascending, 1–8 cm × 0.7–1 mm;

rachilla with wings 0.6 mm wide.

(5–)12–50, linear-lanceoloid, compressed, 5–30 × 0.6–0.9 mm;

floral scales ± deciduous, 3–11, appressed, medially green, laterally stramineous to pale brown, 3–4-ribbed laterally, (1–)3-ribbed medially, oblong-obovate, 3.2–4.5(–6) × 1–1.8 mm, apex ± acute, overlapping lower 1/4–1/2 of next scale.

2–8, linear, terete, 6–20 × 0.7–1 mm;

floral scales 6–10, medially green, laterally brown, medially faintly 3-ribbed, laterally faintly 3–5-ribbed, ovate, 2.5–3 × 2 mm.

anthers 0.3–0.5 mm;

styles 1–2 mm;

stigmas 3–4 mm.

anthers 1 mm;

styles 0.5 mm;

stigmas 1 mm.

purplish brown, ± stipitate, narrowly oblong, (1.5–)1.8–2.4 × 0.5–0.6 mm, apex apiculate, acute, surfaces puncticulate.

black, sessile, obovoid, 2 × 0.8 mm, apex scarcely apiculate, surfaces puncticulate.