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.

branched, with 1–2 nodes, 1–2.8 mm wide, scabrous at least apically, margins entire to denticulate apically, similar in color and texture to stem body;

first internode 5.3–12.5 cm, equaling or shorter than leaves;

distalmost node with 2–3 branches.

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

blades usually scabrous, 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.

borne singly;

spathes green, obviously wider than supporting branch, scabrous, keels denticulate or entire;

outer 18.6–26.5 mm, 2.5–5.5 mm longer than inner, tapering evenly towards apex, margins basally connate 2.5–3.9 mm;

inner with keel evenly curved or straight, hyaline margins 0.2–0.4 mm wide, apex acuminate to acute, ending 0–1.5 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 bluish violet to purplish blue, bases yellow;

outer tepals 8.3–10.5 mm, apex rounded to truncate or 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, 3–5 mm;

pedicel ascending to spreading.

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

globose to obconic, lacking obvious depression, rugulose.

= 16, 32.

= 32.