Xyris torta Small

• 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 torta Sm.

• Description

  Species Description - Lvs rather shallowly set, linear, ascending, mostly 20–50 cm × 2–5 mm, twisted, longitudinally grooved, lustrous dark green, fleshy-thickened at the pale to often purplish or castaneous base, some of the outer lvs short and with notably dilated and dark base, the plants thus appearing bulbous; scapes 1.5–8(–10) dm, ± twisted, flexuous, and many-ridged below, 2–4(–6)-ridged above and somewhat flattened under the spike; spikes mostly 1–2.5 cm at maturity, many-fld, ovoid; lateral sep shortly included, lunate, the broad, thickened keel ciliate-scabrous from near the base to the tip, where it bears a small tuft of reddish-brown (seldom pale) hairs; a similar tuft of hairs at the tip of each bract; pet- blades yellow, obovate, 4 mm, unfolding in the morning; seeds 0.5 mm, plump, finely ridged; 2n=18. Wet, acid soil; N.H. to Wis., s. to Va., Ga., Okla., and Tex. Spring–summer.