Flora of North America species comparison

0.5–1 cm.

loosely cespitose, light green, 15–25 cm.

cespitose, stiffly erect, 3–28 cm.

sheaths dull brown-gray at base, becoming green distally, throats hairless;

basal leaves flat toward base, channeled toward apex, 4–16 cm × 3–8 mm, apex abruptly pointed, callous, glabrous.

sheaths reddish;

basal leaves (persisting for several seasons,) reddish, exceeding inflorescence to as short as cauline leaves, glabrous;

cauline leaves 2–3, reddish, rarely to 6 cm, often reaching or exceeding inflorescence, glabrous.

asymmetric in appearance;

glomerules (1–)2–5, central glomerules sessile or nearly sessile, 3–9 × 2.5–6 mm;

capillary branches 2–8, arched in 1 direction, to 3.5 cm;

proximal inflorescence bract bladeless.

glomerules 1–4, pedunculate;

main branches 1–3(–4), arching in 1 direction, 1–4 cm, terminated by 2–several peduncles each bearing 1–5 flowers;

peduncles 2 mm;

;

proximal inflorescence bract usually inconspicuous, though variable in size and shape;

bracts and bracteoles conspicuous, clear to deep brown, margins lacerate to fimbriate to abundantly ciliate.

tepals brownish translucent (apex lacerate to entire), 2–3 mm, apex lacerate to entire;

anthers equal to or exceeding filaments.

tepals dark brown with clear apex, 1.6–2.6 mm;

outer whorl longer than inner whorl;

anthers ca. 2 times filament length;

stigmas much exceeding styles.

light chestnut brown, broadly 3-angled, shorter than tepals.

dark brown, ovoid, ± equaling to shorter than tepals.

most failing to mature, brown (with few hairs present), 3-angled, 0.9–1.1 mm, few hairs present;

caruncle barely visible.

dark brown, (with tuft of fine tangled hairs), ellipsoid, 0.8–1.2 mm.

= 36.

= 36.