Flora of North America species comparison

sympodial, proliferatively spreading, filiform, units 2–30 cm × 1–2 mm, roots restricted to nodes.

sympodial, cylindrical, units 30–40 cm × 8–14 mm, sometimes multiplied, roots scattered.

erect, 1–2.5 dm × 2–3 mm.

erect or arching, 7.5–12.5 dm × 7–9 mm.

2–4 on fertile shoots, sessile;

blade elliptic, 5–12 × 2.5–4 cm;

base narrowly tapering;

apex acute or acuminate.

7–12, sessile and clasping, or petiolate;

blade elliptic to ovate, 9–17 × 5–8 cm;

base rounded or tapered;

apex acute or caudate.

racemose, simple, 5–15-flowered.

paniculate, 70–250-flowered, branches well developed, pyramidal.

3-merous;

tepals conspicuous, 2.5–4 × 1.5–2 mm;

filaments 1.5–2 mm;

anthers 0.5–0.7 mm;

ovary globose or cylindrical, 2–2.5 × 1.5–2.4 mm;

style 0.5–1.5 mm;

stigma distinctively 3-lobed;

pedicel 1–3 × 0.5 mm.

3-merous;

tepals inconspicuous, 0.5–1 × 0.5 mm;

filaments 1 × 0.5 mm;

anthers 0.5–1 mm;

ovary globose, 1 mm wide;

style 0.1–0.3 mm;

stigma obscure;

pedicel 0.5–1 × 0.5 mm.

green with fine red spots when young, maturing to red, globose, 4–6 mm diam.

green with copper spots when young, maturing to deep translucent red, globose or 3-lobed, 4–6 mm wide.

1–3, globose, 2 mm.

1–4, globose, 2.5–4 mm.

= 36.

= 36, 72, 144.