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.
Distribution
North America, Central America.
Discussion
Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
Key
| 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 | Xyris difformis var. difformis |
| 1 | Leaves and scapes variously papillate or minutely scabrous; scapes not much widened distally; ribs all equally prominent, somewhat scabrous; seeds translucent or mealy. | > 2 |
| 2 | Seeds translucent; leaves spreading-ascending in broad fans, rarely as long as 10 cm, linear–sword-shaped; spikes rarely longer than 5 mm. | Xyris difformis var. curtissii |
| 2 | Seeds mealy; leaves ascending in broad to narrow fans, rarely shorter than (10–)15 cm, linear; spikes 6–10(–15) mm | Xyris difformis var. floridana |