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.

blade erect, dark green, flattened or slightly concave, thick, 12–40 × 2.5–6 cm, rigid, margins sharply denticulate or entire, rarely filiferous with straight fibers.

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, paniculate, arising 1/4–1/2 within rosettes, somewhat conical, 4.5–6.1 dm, glabrous or slightly pubescent;

peduncle scapelike, to 3 dm.

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, to 7 cm;

perianth globose;

tepals spreading, connate basally for less than 1 mm, creamy white tinged with green or purple near base, lanceolate, 3–4 × 1.2–2.2 cm;

filaments ca. 2 cm;

anthers 2–3 mm;

pistil light green, 3–4 × 0.8–1 cm;

ovary stipitate, 2–5 cm;

style 5 mm;

stigmas distinct.

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

pendent, baccate, without core, indehiscent, 3.5–5 × 2–2.6 cm, with fleshy, succulent, purple pulp.

dull black, round-ovate, 5–7 mm diam., 2.5 mm thick.