Key to Sisyrinchium

View taxon page for Sisyrinchium

(For a list of species in Sisyrinchium, use the above link.)

Jepson Manual glossary definitions can be seen by moving your cursor over words underlined with dots.

1. Perianth ± yellow; filaments ± completely free (sect. Echthronema)

2. Stem generally 2–7 mm wide; perianth generally 11–18 mm ..... S. californicum

2' Stem generally < 2 mm wide; perianth generally 7–11 mm

3. Pedicels 

spreading 

Oriented more or less perpendicularly to the axis of attachment; often, more or less horizontal.

to drooping in fruit; fruit generally widest near or above middle ..... S. elmeri

3' Pedicels 

ascending 

Curving or angling upward from base, or about 30-60 degrees less than vertical or away from axis of attachment.

to 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

in fruit; fruit generally widest at middle ..... S. longipes

1' Perianth ± blue to violet (white), parts generally with a 

basal 

At or near the base of a plant or plant part. Especially said of leaves clustered near the ground or of a placenta confined to the base of an ovary.

yellow blotch; filaments ± completely fused (sect. Sisyrinchium)

4. Stem branched; leaves cauline at >= 1 

node 

Position on a stem from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.

5. Translucent margins of inner 

bract 

Reduced, leaf- or scale-like structure subtending a branch, cone scale, peduncle, pedicel, or flower.

not extended above tip; perianth deep blue-purple to -violet or pale blue, occasionally white, 10.5–17 mm, outer parts generally widely wedge-shaped; w California ..... S. bellum

5' Translucent margins of inner bract extended above tip as 2 rounded teeth; perianth generally pale blue, 10–15 mm, outer parts generally narrowly wedge-shaped; ne DMoj ..... S. funereum

4' Stem unbranched; leaves all ± basal

6. Rhizome elongate; perianth ± purple, base darker ..... S. hitchcockii

6' Rhizome compact; perianth light to dark violet-blue (white), base not darker, with yellow blotch

7. Inner bract ± = outer, with widely translucent margins extended above tip as 2 rounded teeth; outer perianth parts generally wedge-shaped ..... S. halophilum

7' Inner bract << outer, with ± narrowly translucent margins ended at or below tip; outer perianth parts generally 

elliptic 

In the shape of a flattened circle or ellipse; wider than linear

to narrowly oblanceolate ..... S. idahoense

8. Stem 2–2.5 mm wide, distal margins generally with a few small teeth; outer perianth parts 13–17(20) mm ..... var. idahoense

8' Stem 1.5–2 mm wide, distal margins generally 

entire 

Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).

; outer perianth parts 8–13 mm ..... var. occidentale

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