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.

erect or ascending, 1/2–2/3 plant height, bases of leaves hard, leathery, usually dark brown or castaneous;

sheaths distally bristly-ciliate, backs chestnut brown, glabrous;

ligule absent;

blades narrowly linear, 1–2(–3) mm wide or thick, mostly strongly involute or adaxially deeply sulcate, margins scabridulous, surfaces glabrous.

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 mostly compound, ascending-branched, longer than broad;

scapes wandlike, narrowly linear, 1.5–2(–3) mm thick, distally round or slightly compressed;

proximalmost leafy involucral bract mostly shorter than anthela or equaling it, rarely slightly longer.

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.

chestnut brown to dull brown, ellipsoid, ovoid, or cylindric, 5–20 mm;

fertile scales broadly ovate to nearly orbiculate, 3.5–4.5 mm, apex rounded, sometimes ciliolate, midrib reaching tip or excurrent as short mucro.

stamens 3;

styles 2-fid, flat, fimbriolate.

stamens 2–3;

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.

lustrous brown, lenticular-obovoid or obpyriform, 1.5–2 mm, appearing striate, with many fine, vertical lines of isodiametric pits.

= 20, 30, 60.

= 20.