Flora of North America species comparison

1–15+, increase bulbs absent or ± equaling parent bulbs, never appearing as basal cluster, not clustered on stout primary rhizome, ovoid to ± globose, 0.6–1.5 × 0.6–1.3 cm;

outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, brown, prominently cellular-reticulate, membranous, cells in ± vertical rows, forming irregular herringbone pattern, transversely elongate, V-shaped, without fibers;

inner coats usually dark red, sometimes white to pink, cells obscure, quadrate.

1–3, larger bulbs each bearing 3–10 basal bulbels surrounding roots, not clustered on stout, primary rhizome, ovoid, 1–1.5 × 0.8–1.5 cm;

outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, thin, membranous, lacking reticulation, without persistent fibers;

inner coats whitish, cells vertically elongate or contorted, walls very sinuous.

persistent, withering from tip at anthesis, 2–4, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface;

blade solid, subterete or ± channeled, 10–36 cm × 0.5–2 mm, margins entire.

persistent, green at anthesis, 3–6, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface;

blades solid, flat, channeled, 15–40 cm × 1–3 mm, margins entire.

persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, 15–50 cm × 3–5 mm.

persistent, 1–3, clustered, erect, solid, terete, 15–40 cm × 1–4 mm.

shattering after seeds mature, each flower deciduous with its pedicel as a unit, erect, compact, 10–50-flowered, hemispheric, bulbels unknown;

spathe bracts persistent, 2–3, 6–13-veined, ovate, ± equal, apex short-acuminate.

persistent, erect, loose, 10–30-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown;

spathe bracts persistent, 3–4, 4–5-veined, ovate, ± equal, apex acuminate.

stellate, 5–9 mm;

tepals spreading at anthesis, white to pink, lanceolate, ± equal, becoming papery and connivent over capsule, margins entire, apex acute;

stamens included;

anthers yellow or purple;

pollen yellow;

ovary crested;

processes 6, lateral, ± prominent, ± rectangular, margins entire;

style linear, equaling stamens;

stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed;

pedicel 4–16 mm.

± stellate to campanulate, 5–6 mm;

tepals erect or ± spreading, ± flexuous, white or pinkish, lanceolate, ± equal, papery and withering away from fruit, margins entire or nearly so, apex obtuse, midribs thickened;

stamens included;

anthers yellow;

pollen yellow;

ovary crestless;

style linear, equaling stamens;

stigma capitate, unlobed to distinctly lobed;

pedicel 1–2.5 mm, elongating in fruit.

coat dull;

cells minutely roughened.

coat shining;

cells smooth.

= 14, 21, 28.

= 14.