Xyris smalliana

Herbs, perennial, cespitose, 50–150 cm. Stems compact. Leaves ascending in narrow fans, (19–)30–50(–60) cm; sheaths pinkish or pale red, soft, smooth; blade pale green proximally, distally deep lustrous green, linear, flattened, plane, 5–15 mm wide, margins smooth. Inflorescences: scape sheaths exceeded by leaves; scapes linear, straight, distally slightly compressed, 1–2 mm wide, smooth, 2-ribbed; spikes ovoid to ellipsoid or cylindric, 10–20(–25) mm, apex usually blunt; fertile bracts 5–8 mm, margins entire, apex rounded. Flowers: lateral sepals slightly to conspicuously exserted, slightly curved, 6–8 mm, keel scarious, apex not red, broad, thin, lacerate; petals unfolding in afternoon, blade obovate, 5–6 mm; staminodes bearded. Seeds translucent, narrowly ellipsoid to ovoid, (0.6–)0.7(–0.8 mm), irregularly ridged and cross-ridged. 2n = 18.

Phenology: Flowering summer–fall.
Habitat: Sandy or peaty shallows and shores of ponds and sluggish acidic streams
Elevation: 0–100 m

Distribution

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Ala., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Miss., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., R.I., S.C., Tex., West Indies (Cuba), Mexico (Tabasco), West Indies (Cuba), Central America (Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua).

Discussion

Although no specimens were seen for Virginia, Xyris smalliana is to be expected there.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.