Flora of North America species comparison

2–3+, usually clustered, short-rhizomatous at base, rhizome not stout or iris-like, oblong, 2–3 × 1–1.5 cm;

outer coats enclosing single bulb, ± reddish brown, membranous, striations fine, cells narrow, elongate, vertical;

inner coats deep red to white, finely striate, cells narrow, vertically elongate.

1–3+, not rhizomatous, without basal bulbels, ovoid, 1.2–2.5 × 1–2 cm;

outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, gray or brown, reticulate, cells fine-meshed, open, fibrous;

inner coats whitish, cells vertically elongate and regular or obscure.

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

blade solid, terete, 3-angled, 15–30 cm × 1–4 mm, margins entire.

persistent, green at anthesis, 2, sheathing;

blade solid, ± straight, channeled, semiterete, 10–40 cm × 1–3(–5) mm, margins entire or denticulate.

persistent, 1–2, clustered, erect, solid, slightly compressed, 10–40 cm × 1–3 mm.

persistent, solitary, erect, ± terete, 5–30(–40) cm × 1–3 mm.

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

spathe bracts persistent, 2–4, 2–3-veined, ovate-lanceolate, ± equal, apex obtuse.

persistent, erect, compact to ± loose, 15–30-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown;

spathe bracts persistent, 3, usually 1-veined, ovate, ± equal, apex acuminate.

campanulate, 6–8 mm;

tepals erect, white to rose, with darker midvein, broadly ovate to lance-ovate, ± equal, becoming rigid and permanently investing capsule, margins entire, apex acute;

stamens included;

anthers white;

pollen white to dark gray;

ovary crested;

processes 6, rounded, short, densely papillose;

style linear, equaling stamens;

stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed;

pedicel 1–2 cm.

urceolate to campanulate, 5–7 mm;

tepals erect, white or rarely pink, with red or reddish brown midribs;

outer whorl broadly ovate to lanceolate, unequal, becoming callous-keeled and permanently investing capsule, margins often obscurely toothed apically, apex obtuse to acuminate;

inner whorl narrower, margins entire, apex distinctly spreading;

stamens included;

anthers yellow;

pollen yellow;

ovary ± conspicuously crested;

processes 6, central, distinct or connate in pairs across septa, ± erect, rounded, to 1 mm, margins entire, becoming variously developed or obsolete in fruit;

style linear, equaling filaments;

stigma capitate, unlobed or obscurely lobed;

pedicel 5–20 mm.

coat dull;

cells minutely roughened.

coat shining;

cells ± smooth, without central papillae.

= 14.

= 14, 28.