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, wiry, wings present as slight ridges, 0.5–1 mm wide, glabrous, margins minutely denticulate, similar in color and texture to stem body.

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

blades 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.

usually paired, closely subtended by long, bractlike leaf that often obscures first (inner) inflorescence, sessile or second (outer) with branch to 6.6 mm;

spathes often purplish, glabrous, keels entire;

outer 12.1–14.7 mm, 0.9 mm shorter to 2.7 mm longer than inner, usually tapering evenly towards apex, margins distinct or connate basally to 1.5 mm;

inner with keel straight or evenly curved, hyaline margins 0.2–0.4 mm wide, apex acute to occasionally obtuse, ending 0.2–1.4 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 pale blue to bluish violet, bases yellow;

outer tepals 7.7–12 mm, apex emarginate, aristate;

filaments connate ± entirely, glabrous;

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 or light brown, ± globose, 2–3.3 mm, glabrous;

pedicel loosely erect or spreading.

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

globose to obconic, lacking obvious depression, 0.8–1.2 mm, rugulose.

= 16, 32.