Flora of North America species comparison

several, simple proximal to inflorescence, 30–80 cm, puberulent, becoming subglabrous near base.

simple, branched in inflorescence, (10–)20–40(–70) cm.

withering proximally, in whorls of 4, ± sessile to short-petiolate, largest in mid-stem region;

blade lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 3–10 cm × 4–40 mm, apex acuminate, puberulent on both surfaces, sparsely so adaxially.

basal withering before flowering, blade lanceolate-spatulate, 2–5 cm;

cauline sessile to amplexicaulous, blade lanceolate to ovate or elliptic, 1–6 cm × 5–25 mm, apex acute.

paniculate, open, bracteate, bracteolate, branches elongate, puberulent;

bracts and bracteoles linear-lanceolate, 2–15 mm.

cymose, bracteate;

cyme capitate or with flowers clustered at end of slender branches;

bracts lanceolate-acicular, 2–10 mm.

straight, often with 1 or 2 pairs of bracteoles, slender, 1/2–3 times calyx, glabrous or scabrous-puberulous.

0.1–0.5 cm.

calyx obscurely 10-veined, broadly campanulate, becoming obtriangular in fruit, 7–11 × 6–10 mm, herbaceous, margins dentate, very narrow, membranous, sparsely puberulent, lobes broadly triangular, 2–3 mm;

corolla white, ca. 2 times longer than calyx, limb obtriangular, narrowed into claw, divided ca. 1/2 its length into 4–12 lobes, appendages absent;

stamens equaling petals;

styles 3, longer than petals.

calyx usually purple tinged, 10-veined, elongate, clavate, lobed, constricted proximally into narrow tube, 13–17 × 2.5–4 mm, rather membranous;

lobes ovate-triangular, ca. 1 mm, apex obtuse;

petals pink (rarely white), unlobed, limb obovate, ca. 5 mm, base cuneate into claw 6–8 mm, auricles absent, appendages linear to lanceolate, 2–3 mm, apex acute;

stamens slightly longer than petal claws;

styles 3(–4), exserted.

globose, opening by 3 broadly triangular teeth;

carpophore 2–3 mm.

oblong, 7–10 mm, opening by 6 (or 8) spreading teeth;

carpophore 7–8 mm, glabrous.

dark brown, reniform, ca. 1 mm, papillate.

dark brown, reniform-rotund, less than 1 mm diam., rugose.

= (34), 48.

= 24 (Europe).