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17. Xyris difformis Chapman, Fl. South. U.S. 500. 1860.
Herbs, perennial, cespitose, (10--)15--70(--90) cm, base not bulbous. Stems compact. Leaves in narrow to broad fans, 5--50 cm; sheaths soft, base reddish; blade deep green, linear to linear---sword-shaped, flat, not twisted, under 7 mm wide, papillate or smooth, margins smooth or papillate, somewhat scabrous. Inflorescences: scape sheaths exceeded by leaves; scapes linear to filiform, terete proximally, terete or ancipital-2-edged--winged distally, 0.5--3 mm wide, variably ribbed, distally with 3 or more somewhat scabrous ribs, ribs papillate to scabrous; spikes prevalently ovoid, 5--20 mm, apex usually acute; fertile bracts (4--)5--7(--9) mm, margins entire, apex rounded. Flowers: lateral sepals included, slightly curved, 5--7 mm, keel brown, scarious, lacerate; petals unfolding in morning, blade obtriangular, 4 mm; staminodes bearded. Seeds translucent to mealy, ovoid to ellipsoid, 0.5 mm, finely lined longitudinally with small papillae.
Varieties 3 (3 in the flora): North America, Central America.
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| 1 |
Leaves and scapes (except for edges and ribs) smooth; scapes somewhat to much widened distally; 2 ribs comparably wider, making wings, smooth or papillate; seeds translucent |
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17a var. difformis |
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Leaves and scapes variously papillate or minutely scabrous; scapes not much widened distally; ribs all equally prominent, somewhat scabrous; seeds translucent or mealy. |
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(2) |
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| 2 (1) |
Seeds translucent; leaves spreading-ascending in broad fans, rarely as long as 10 cm, linear--sword-shaped; spikes rarely longer than 5 mm. |
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17b var. curtissii |
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Seeds mealy; leaves ascending in broad to narrow fans, rarely shorter than (10--)15 cm, linear; spikes 6--10(--15) mm |
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17c var. floridana |
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Lower Taxa
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