Flora of North America species comparison

20–60 cm × 0.5–0.8 mm, distally smooth.

to 100 cm × (0.8–)1–1.2 mm distally.

blades trigonous-channeled in cross section, to 30 cm × 1–2 mm;

distal leaf blade 1–4 cm × 1–1.5 mm, shorter than its 3.5–5.5 cm sheath.

blades flat, tip trigonous, channeled in cross section, to 40 cm × 1.5–6(–8) mm;

distal leaf blade much longer than sheath.

blade-bearing involucral bracts solitary, similar to distal leaf, blade usually gray or black proximally, 0.6–2 cm.

blade-bearing involucral bracts 1–3, proximally blade, often sheath black, leaflike, longest 1–12 cm.

(1–)2–5, in subumbels, narrowly ovoid, 7–10 mm in flower, 15–25 mm in fruit;

peduncles 5–30 mm, scabrous;

scales black or dark gray with black tip, broadly ovate, 3–4 mm, scarious, margins absent or to 0.1 mm wide, 5–9-ribbed, midrib prominent, usually dilated distally, reaching tip, apex obtuse-subacute.

(1–)2–10, in subumbels, patent or pendent, ovoid, 10–20 mm in flower, 20–50 mm in fruit;

peduncles 5–60 mm, smooth or scabrous;

scales lanceolate or ovate, 5–10 mm, with prominent midrib fading proximal to tip, apex ± acute;

proximal scales without lateral ribs.

perianth bristles 10 or more, white, 10–15 mm, smooth;

anthers 1–2.5 mm.

perianth bristles 10 or more, white or pale yellow brown, 15–30 mm, smooth;

anthers 2–5 mm.

narrowly obovoid, 1.5–3 mm.

black, oblanceoloid, 2–5 mm.