Flora of North America species comparison

wand-like, at least 50 cm.

nearly distichous, spreading to ascending, 1/2 length of culms, sheath margins ciliolate at junction with blade, backs smooth to pubescent;

ligule present, usually complete;

blades linear, 2–5 mm wide, flat to involute, margins scabridulous, surfaces mostly glabrous.

nearly distichous, 1/2 to equal length of culms;

sheaths bristlyciliate apically, backs glabrous or hirtellous;

ligule present, complete;

blades narrowly linear, 1–1.5(–2) mm wide, flat to shallowly involute, margins ciliate-scabrid, adaxial and abaxial surfaces glabrous or pubescent.

anthelae compound, dense or diffuse, mostly longer than broad;

scapes wandlike, broadly linear, distally usually compressed, marginal ribs scabrid distally;

longest primary involucral bract exceeding or shorter than anthela.

anthelae simple or compound, mostly open, diffuse, ascending-branched, longer than broad;

scapes slender, 1 mm thick, angular;

proximalmost involucral bract longer or shorter than anthela.

pale brown or red-brown, broadly ovoid, ellipsoid, or lanceoloid, 5–15 mm;

fertile scales ovate, 3–4 mm, apex rounded, often puberulent distally, midrib excurrent as scabrid mucro or short cusp.

tan to brown or redbrown, ovoid to lance-ovoid, 3–8 mm;

fertile scales broadly oblong to ovate, 2 mm, acute to obtuse-angled, smooth, midrib reaching apex or excurrent as mucro.

stamens 3;

styles 2-fid, flat, fimbriolate.

stamens 1(–2);

styles 2-fid, flat, fimbriate.

pale to deep brown, lenticular-obovoid, 1 mm, finely but definitely cancellate with 14–15 horizontally oriented lattices per side.

white to brown, often iridescent, lenticular or obovoid to pyriform-obovoid, 1 mm, cancellate, with 5–12 longitudinal ribs per side, alternating with as many rows of horizontally rectangular pits;

warts of achene more usually distributed, or achene (rarely) smooth.

= 20, 30, 60.

= 30.