Flora of North America species comparison

sometimes tuberous.

sparsely branched, 8–39 cm, scabridulous or rarely glabrescent.

unbranched, short.

blade linear-lanceolate, 1–10 × 0.15–0.8 cm (distal leaf blades wider or narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened), firmly membranaceous, glaucous, glabrous.

spirally arranged;

blade usually abaxially purple, adaxially green, strap-shaped, to 35 × 5 cm (distal leaf blades wider or narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened), leathery, succulent, glabrous.

terminal, solitary, or frequently with 1–3 axillary inflorescences from distal nodes;

bracts foliaceous.

axillary, sessile, or pedunculate in axils well below shoot apex, cymes enclosed in pairs of boat-shaped spathes.

distinctly pedicillate;

pedicels 0.8–1 cm, glandular-puberulent;

sepals frequently suffused with red, glaucous, 4–6 mm, glandular-puberulent;

petals distinct, bright blue to rose and purple, not clawed, 9–12 mm;

stamens free;

filaments bearded.

distinctly pedicillate;

pedicels glabrous;

sepals distinct, white, 3–6 mm, glabrous;

petals distinct, white, ovate, not clawed;

stamens free;

filaments bearded.

3–4 mm.

3- or (by abortion) 2-locular, 3–4 mm.

1.5–2 mm;

hilum much shorter than seed.

1 per locule, 3–4 mm.

= 12 (Belize).