Rush Featherling

Stems scapelike, with 0–4 leaves progressively reduced distally, 30–85 cm. Leaves to 50 cm × 5 mm, with short sheathing base and much longer blade arising abaxially. Inflorescences 3–8-flowered, 5–20 cm; bracts sheathing, 2–7 cm, apex aristate; bracteoles 3, distinct to base or connate to 3/4 their length, 3.5–8 mm, forming sheathing involucre ca. mid pedicel. Flowers: tepals white to yellowish, 9–17 × 2–4 mm, outer series slightly longer and wider; filaments to 5.5 mm; anthers to 4 mm; ovary narrowly conical, ca. 5 mm; styles 1–1.8 mm; pedicel 1–3.5 cm. Capsules 5.5–9 mm, coriaceous. Seeds deep reddish brown, 1–1.5 mm, with appendage 1–2 times longer than seed at one end and sometimes a much shorter one at opposite end. 2n = 30.

Ala., Fla., N.C., S.C.

Flowering late summer--autumn.

Savannas, pocosins, marshy ground; 0--100m.

Tofieldia tenuifolia (Michaux) Utech