Flora of North America species comparison

creeping, jointed, freely branching.

flexuous, zigzag, 1–4 dm.

striate;

cauline leaves gradually reduced to bracts;

sheaths 1.5–10 cm, ligules 2–12 mm;

hairs within leaf sheath 0.2–2 cm;

blade 2–41 cm × 1–3 mm.

3–12-flowered, 3–10 cm;

proximal bract foliaceous;

distalmost sheaths sometimes bladeless;

pedicels spreading, 5–25 mm.

tepals in 2 similar series of 3 each, white to yellow-green, lance-ovate to lanceolate, 1-veined, 2–3 mm, membranous, apex acute;

filaments filiform;

anthers linear, elongate;

pistils 6–7 mm;

styles oblong;

stigmas papillose.

brown to black, ovoid, 4–5 mm, smooth, hard;

endosperm absent.

light green to brown, ovoid, 4–10 mm, leathery, dehiscing on curved, adaxial side;

beak 0.5–1 mm.

= 22.