Flora of North America species comparison

sometimes in tufts, erect, stout to slender or almost filiform, 20–70 cm, glabrous or hairy, especially on angles distally.

sheaths sometimes purplish, not or scarcely winged, weakly ribbed, densely pubescent or glabrous;

contra-ligules subrotund to triangular, short;

blades linear, keeled, obtuse, shorter than, equaling, or overtopping culm, 1–7 mm wide, ciliate or glabrous.

terminal and axillary, fasciculate, 0.5–2.5 cm;

clusters few to many flowered, 5–10 mm wide, each with 2–4(–5) spikelets;

axillary clusters sometimes on short erect to slender filiform peduncles;

bracts subtending inflorescence leaflike, awl-shaped, to 15+ cm, often appearing to be continuation of culm, conspicuously ciliate or glabrous.

bisexual and staminate, 4–8 mm; staminate scales lanceolate, membranous; pistillate scales ovate-acuminate, midrib conspicuous.

whitish or often brownish gray, globose, 2–3 mm, base constricted, trigonous, apex usually umbonate, tuberculate or verrucose, rarely smooth, papillate at base;

hypogynium golden brown, obtusely 3-angled border, supporting 3 yellowish, globose, spiculose or pulverulent, entire or 2-lobed tubercles.