Var. subcaudàtus, Engelm. Stem slender, often decumbent (1–2° high), bearing in simpler spreading panicles fewer 8–20-flowered heads; flowers greenish, as large as in the last; sepals awl-shaped, but not so rigid; capsule mostly tapering; seeds large (½–{2/3}´´ long), with short white membranous appendages, not reticulated.—Conn. to Penn. and Ga.
Var. brachycéphalus, Engelm. Stem slender (1½–2½° high), bearing numerous small 3–5-flowered heads in a large spreading panicle; flowers greenish or light brown (1¼–1½´´ long); sepals mostly obtuse, shorter than the brown abruptly short-pointed capsule; style longer than in other forms; seeds smaller (¼–{1/3}´´ long), slender, with rather short appendages.—Penn. and western N. Y., to Wisc. and Ill.
Var. coarctàtus, Engelm. Stem slender, shorter (9–18´ high), bearing fewer deep-brown 3–5-flowered heads in a somewhat erect contracted panicle; flowers as large as in the last; sepals acute, or rarely obtusish, much shorter than the prismatic abruptly pointed deep-brown capsule; seeds as in the last.—N. Eng. to N. J., N. Minn., and westward.
[+][+] Stamens 6.
27. J. ásper, Engelm. Stems tufted, erect (2–3° high), terete, stout, rigid, and with the rigid leaves rough; panicle with rigid slightly spreading branches, bearing scattered few- (2–6-) flowered heads; flowers greenish with brown (2½´´ long); sepals ovate-lanceolate, awl-pointed, rigid and strongly nerved, the outer much shorter than the inner, these a little shorter than the triangular-ovoid beaked incompletely 3-celled brown capsule, ovary tapering into a conspicuous style; seeds large, oblong, with white or often reddish appendages (1¼´´ long).—Sphagnous swamps, N. J. Aug.
2. LÙZULA, DC. Wood-Rush.
Capsule 1-celled, 3-seeded, one seed to each parietal placenta.—Perennials, often hairy, usually in dry ground, with flat and soft usually hairy leaves, and spiked-crowded or umbelled flowers. (From Gramen Luzulæ, or Luxulæ, dim. of lux, light,—a name given to one of the species from its shining with dew.)
[*] Pedicels 1-flowered, in a loose compound cyme or umbel.
1. L. vernàlis, DC. Plant 6–9´ high; leaves lance-linear, hairy; umbel mostly simple; sepals pointed, shorter than the obtuse capsule; seeds with a curved appendage, (L. pilosa, Willd.)—Woods and banks, Newf. to the mountains of N. C., west to Minn. (Eu.)
2. L. spadícea, DC., var. melanocárpa, Meyer. Nearly smooth (1–3° high); leaves broadly linear; corymb decompound, loose; pedicels drooping; sepals pointed, straw-color, about the length of the minutely pointed and brown capsule; seeds not appendaged. (L. parviflora, var. melanocarpa, Gray.)—Mountains of Maine, Vt., and northern N. Y., to Mich. and N. Minn. (Eu.)