Flora of North America species comparison

20–60 cm.

erect, unbranched scapelike.

basal 1–2 per node on rhizomes;

petiole 8–22 cm;

blade (of larger leaves) ovate to suborbiculate, 20–75 × 15–70 mm, longer than to ca. as long as wide, base rounded to subcordate, apex obtuse;

cauline on proximal 1/2 of stem or absent.

basal in rosettes or 1–2 per node on rhizomes (P. caroliniana) and cauline (0–)1[–8], alternate;

stipules absent;

petiole present in basal leaves, usually absent in cauline leaf;

blade margins entire;

venation palmate.

terminal, flowers solitary.

sepals reflexed in fruit, oblong to oblong-elliptic, 3.5–5 mm, margins hyaline, 0.2 mm wide, entire, apex obtuse;

petals 7–12-veined, broadly ovate, 14–20 × 9–12 mm, length 3–4 times sepals, base rounded, margins entire or undulate;

stamens 7–11 mm;

anthers 1.8–3 mm;

staminodes 3-fid almost to base, gland-tipped, 9–14 mm, longer than stamens, apical glands lanceolate, 1–1.7 mm;

ovary white.

bisexual, radially symmetric or ± asymmetric;

perianth and androecium hypogynous or perigynous;

hypanthium absent or completely adnate to ovary;

sepals 5, connate proximally;

petals 5, white [yellowish] with distinct yellowish or greenish or gray-brown veins, 3–22 mm, usually longer than sepals;

nectary absent;

stamens 5;

staminodes 5, opposite petals, usually deeply divided, sometimes undivided, gland-tipped or glandular at apex [without glands];

pistil [3–]4[–5]-carpellate;

ovary superior to 1/2 inferior, 1-locular, placentation parietal;

style absent or essentially so;

stigmas [3–]4[–5];

ovules 100–2000+.

capsules, 1-locular, [3–]4[–5]-valved, ellipsoid to globose, apex not beaked.

10–15 mm.

100–2000+ per fruit, oblong, winged;

aril absent.

= 9.