Flora of North America species comparison

short -branched, forming distinct, often large clumps.

long- creeping.

erect, terete, 1–2.5 mm diam. at top of sheaths.

erect, 1–3 mm diam.

several.

several.

blade absent.

blade usually absent (present in var. mexicanus).

lateral, compound dichasia, many flowered;

primary bract erect, terete, extending well beyond dichasium.

lateral, 3–many-flowered, loose to congested;

primary bract barely exceeding to many times longer than inflorescence.

tepals tan or darker, usually with greenish midstripe, lanceolate, 1.9–3.5 mm;

inner slightly shorter;

stamens 3, filaments 0.5–0.8 mm, anthers 0.5–0.8 mm;

style 0.2 mm.

variously pedicellate;

bracteoles membranous;

tepals chestnut brown or paler, lanceolate, (2.5–)3.3–5.5(–6) mm, margins clear;

inner series loosely subtending capsule at maturity; usually slightly shorter, margins scarious to clear, apex acutish to obtuse;

stamens 6, filaments 0.2–1.1 mm, anthers 0.9–2.2 mm;

style 0.9–1.5 mm.

greenish tan or darker, 3-locular, broadly ellipsoid to oblate, 1.5–3.2 mm.

3-locular or infrequently pseudo-3-locular, oblate to narrowly ovoid, 3.5–4(–4.5) mm, equal to or exceeding perianth.

amber, (0.3–)0.4–0.5 mm.

dark amber, oblate to ellipsoid, 0.6–0.8 mm.

= 40, 42.