Perianth of 3 persistent green sepals, and 3 ephemeral deliquescent petals. [Commelinaceæ], [538]
Stamens 6, dissimilar, or only three with perfect anthers.
Sepals 3, herbaceous; ephemeral petals 3, unequal. [Commelinaceæ], [538]
Perianth tubular, 6-lobed. [Pontederiaceæ], [535]
Stamens 3, similar. Moss-like aquatic. [Mayaceæ], [537]
Perianth wholly glumaceous, of 6 similar divisions. [Juncaceæ], [539]
Perianth partly glumaceous or chaff-like; flowers in very dense heads. Rush-like or aquatic.
Flowers perfect; inner perianth of three yellow petals; perfect stamens and plumose sterile filaments each 3; pod 1-celled, many-seeded on 3 parietal placentæ. [Xyridaceæ], [536]
Flowers monœcious or diœcious, whitish-bearded; stamens 4 or 3; pod 2–3-celled, 2–3-seeded. [Eriocauleæ], [566]
C. Glumaceous Division. Flowers destitute of proper perianth, except sometimes small scales or bristles, but covered by scale-like bracts or glumes.