Xyris caroliniana Walter

  • Authority

    Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

  • Family

    Xyridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Xyris caroliniana Walter

  • Description

    Species Description - Lvs deeply set, the outer ones short, scale-like, castaneous, the principal ones linear, 20–50 cm × 2–5 mm, twisted and flexuous, the abruptly dilated, fleshy-thickened, dark brown, shiny bases long-persistent as scales; scapes 5–11 dm, twisted, flexuous, smooth to the touch, terete and minutely ridged below, somewhat flattened (and often 1-edged) above; spikes 1.5–3 cm at maturity, few- to many-fld, narrowly ellipsoid or lance-ovoid; lateral sep almost linear, nearly straight, the broad keel ciliate below, long- fimbriate (and often crisped) at the prominently exserted tip; pet-blades yellow or white, obovate, 8–9 mm, usually opening in afternoon; seeds 0.7–1 mm, narrow, with ca 20 strip-like longitudinal lines; 2n=18. Moist to well drained, sandy soil on the coastal plain, from N.J. and Va. to Fla. and Tex. Early summer–fall.