Flora of North America species comparison

tuberous in part, not brownish-tomentose.

unbranched, short.

spreading, diffusely branched, particularly at base, 0.5–20(–45) cm, densely pubescent to glabrescent.

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.

somewhat recurved or falcate;

blade deep green, or paler and somewhat glaucous, linear-lanceolate, 11–20 × 1–2 cm (distal leaf blades equal to or narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened), margins usually tinged with purple, crisped, puberulent to glabrescent.

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

terminal, solitary, or more frequently also axillary and pedunculate from distal nodes;

bracts foliaceous, similar to leaves in form, puberulent to glabrescent.

distinctly pedicillate;

pedicels glabrous;

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

petals distinct, white, ovate, not clawed;

stamens free;

filaments bearded.

distinctly pedicillate;

pedicels 1.5–2.5 cm, puberulent or pilose with mixed glandular, eglandular hairs;

sepals dull green or occasionally edged or suffused with purple, 9–11 mm, pubescent with mixed glandular, eglandular hairs;

petals distinct, bright blue or occasionally pink, broadly ovate, not clawed, 11–19 mm;

stamens free;

filaments bearded.

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

6–7 mm.

1 per locule, 3–4 mm.

2–3 mm;

hilum as long as seed.

= 12 (Belize).

= 12.