Flora of North America species comparison

1–several, erect, mostly simple, occasionally 1–3-branched.

blade linear, often twisted, flat to concavo-convex, widest considerably beyond middle, 25–60 × 1.2–1.7 cm, glaucous, smooth, margins minutely denticulate, lemon yellow, hyaline, apex spinose, spine tipped.

erect, paniculate, dense, arising completely within to mostly extending beyond rosettes, ovoid, 6–8.2 dm, glabrous, rarely slightly pubescent;

peduncle scapelike, to 0.8 m. Flowers pendent, 5–13 cm, nearly as wide;

perianth campanulate;

tepals connate basally to form shallow floral cup 7–12 mm, usually cream-colored, occasionally tinged with purple, 4.5–13 cm;

filaments connate proximally into collarlike structure, 3.2–12 mm, fleshy, pubescent;

anthers 5–7 mm;

pistil 4.5–8 × 0.7–1.2 cm (usually 4–5(–7) times longer than broad);

ovary 0.7–1.2 cm;

style 5–7 mm;

stigmas distinct.

paniculate, arising just within or beyond rosettes, ovoid, 3–10 dm;

branches up to 3.8 dm;

bracts erect;

peduncle sometimes scapelike, 0.3–1 m, less than 2.5 cm diam., glabrous or glabrescent.

pendent;

perianth globose to campanulate;

tepals distinct, white, narrowly ovate, 4.2–5.2 × 1.1–2 cm, apex sharply acuminate;

filaments 1.7–2 cm;

pistil 2.5–3.5 cm;

style white, 6–14 mm;

stigmas lobed.

pendent, baccate, indehiscent, elongate, 5–23 × 4–7.5 cm, fleshy, succulent.

erect, capsular, dehiscent, ovoid to ellipsoid, rarely constricted, 4–7 × 1.8–2.5 cm, dehiscence septicidal.

dull black, obovate, 7–11 mm diam., 3 mm thick, rugose.