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 2–3 nodes, 2.4–5.7 mm wide, scabrous at least apically, margins denticulate to entire, similar in color and texture to stem body;

first internode 15–39 cm, subequal to leaves;

distalmost node with 2–3 branches.

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

blades scabrous, bases becoming fibrous, persisting in 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, slightly scabrous, keels entire;

outer 14.8–24 mm, 0.5–1.8 mm longer than inner, tapering evenly towards apex, basally connate 3.8–5.6 mm;

inner with keel evenly curved to straight, hyaline margins 0.1–0.3 mm wide, apex acute to acuminate, ending 0.3–7.5 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 pale blue to deep bluish violet, bases yellow;

outer tepals 8.1–12.3 mm, apex rounded or emarginate, aristate;

filaments connate ± entirely, 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.

dark brown to black, ± globose, 3.8–8 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, 1.3–3 mm, rugulose.

= 16, 32.

= 32.