Flora of North America species comparison

branched, with 1 or 2 nodes, 0.8–1.9 mm wide, usually glabrous, margins entire, similar in color and texture to stem body;

first internode 11–36 cm, longer than leaves;

distalmost node with 2–3 branches.

apparently simple, not wiry, obviously winged, 1.5–3.4 mm wide, glabrous to scabrous, margins entire to denticulate apically, similar in color and texture to stem body.

blades usually glabrous, bases occasionally becoming fibrous, but not persistent in tufts.

blades usually glabrous, bases not persistent in fibrous tufts.

borne singly;

spathes green or occasionally with purplish tinge on margins, obviously wider than supporting branch, glabrous or slightly scabrous, keels entire;

outer 12–16.1 mm, 1.4 mm shorter to 1.5 mm longer than inner, tapering evenly towards apex, margins basally connate 3–5.2 mm;

inner with keel evenly curved or straight, hyaline margins 0.2–0.6 mm wide, apex broadly rounded to truncate, usually erose, ending 0–0.5 mm proximal to green apex or, occasionally, exceeding it by up to 0.5 mm.

paired, closely subtended by long, bractlike leaf that often obscures first (inner) inflorescence, sessile or occasionally second (outer) with branch to 5 mm;

spathes green or occasionally with purplish tinge, glabrous or occasionally scabrous, keels usually denticulate;

outer spathe of outer rhipidium 14–30 mm, 0.3–3.7 mm longer than inner, outer spathe of inner rhipidium 1–3.5 mm shorter than inner, both tapering evenly towards apex, margins distinct or rarely connate basally to 1 mm;

inner with keel straight or somewhat curved, hyaline margins 0.1–0.5 mm wide, apex acute to obtuse or rarely truncate, ending 0.2–2.5 mm proximal to green apex.

tepals light blue or bluish violet to purple or occasionally white, bases yellow;

outer tepals 6.3–11 mm, apex emarginate to truncate, aristate;

filaments connate ± entirely, stipitate-glandular basally;

ovary blackish, in contrast with much lighter foliage.

tepals white or blue, bases yellow;

outer tepals 6–12.5 mm, apex emarginate, aristate;

filaments connate ± entirely, slightly stipitate-glandular basally;

ovary similar in color to foliage.

dark brown to black or purplish black, ± globose to obovoid, 2–4.1 mm;

pedicel ascending to erect.

tan to light brown, ± globose, 2.8–4 mm;

pedicel spreading or ascending.

globose to obconic, lacking obvious depression, 0.5–1.2 mm, rugulose or occasionally granular.

globose to obconic, lacking obvious depression, 0.8–1.1 mm, granular to rugulose.

= 16, 32.

= 32.