Flora of North America species comparison

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

± terete to roundly trigonous, 3–25(–60) cm × 0.3–2 mm, glabrous.

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

1–3, V-shaped, 1–8(–15) 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.

spike 1, loosely ovoid, 7–14 × 8–20 mm;

rays (0–)1–4, to 2(–3) cm;

bracts 2–4, horizontal to ascending at 30(–45)°, V-shaped to flat, 1–8(–18) cm × 0.5–1.5(–2) mm.

(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.

3–5(–14), oblong to linear-lanceoloid, 8–18 × 2–2.6(–3) mm;

floral scales (6–)10–26(–32), laterally clear to light brown, sometimes with purplish margins, medially light brown, 2-keeled, laterally ribless, medially 2–3-ribbed, oblong to ovate, 1.9–2.2(–2.7) × 1.8–2.3 mm, apex obtuse.

anthers 0.3–0.5 mm;

styles 1–2 mm;

stigmas 3–4 mm.

stamens 3;

anthers ellipsoid, 0.3–0.6 mm, connective not prolonged;

styles 0.6–1 mm;

stigmas 1–1.5 mm.

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

brown, ± stipitate, obovoid to ovoid, 1–1.4 × 0.6–0.8 mm, apex truncate, apiculate, surfaces minutely punctate.