Flora of North America species comparison

compact.

compact.

in narrow fans, 4–15 cm;

sheaths reddish, soft, papillate;

blade deep green, narrowly linear, 0.8–2(–3) mm wide, smooth, margins smooth to papillate.

ascending in narrow fans, (19–)30–50(–60) cm;

sheaths pinkish or pale red, soft, smooth;

blade pale green proximally, distally deep lustrous green, linear, flattened, plane, 5–15 mm wide, margins smooth.

scape sheaths exceeded by leaves;

scapes linear, wiry, terete, (0.25–)0.5–0.8(–1) mm wide, distally with 2–4 ribs, ribs papillate;

spikes broadly to narrowly ellipsoid or ovoid, 4–8 mm;

fertile bracts 3–4(–4.5) mm, margins erose or minutely fimbriolate, sometimes with narrow reddish border, apex very slightly to slightly keeled.

scape sheaths exceeded by leaves;

scapes linear, straight, distally slightly compressed, 1–2 mm wide, smooth, 2-ribbed;

spikes ovoid to ellipsoid or cylindric, 10–20(–25) mm, apex usually blunt;

fertile bracts 5–8 mm, margins entire, apex rounded.

lateral sepals slightly exserted, straight, 4.2–4.7 mm, keel scarious, entire or apically lacerate, apex red, narrow, firm;

petals unfolding in morning, blade obovate, 3–4 mm;

staminodes bearded.

lateral sepals slightly to conspicuously exserted, slightly curved, 6–8 mm, keel scarious, apex not red, broad, thin, lacerate;

petals unfolding in afternoon, blade obovate, 5–6 mm;

staminodes bearded.

translucent, narrowly ellipsoid, (0.6–)0.7–0.9(–1) mm, finely lined.

translucent, narrowly ellipsoid to ovoid, (0.6–)0.7(–0.8 mm), irregularly ridged and cross-ridged.

= 18.