General:
Perennial herb from long rhizomes; stems erect, 30-60 cm tall.

Leaves:
Located on the lower half of the stem, strongly flattened, compressed laterally (iris-like), with partial cross-walls that run from the edges to about 2/3 of the leaf widths; sheaths open, with or without short, ear-shaped lobes.

Flowers:
Inflorescence terminal, with 1 to 10 heads, the heads globe-shaped, 5- to many-flowered; perianth segments greenish-brown to brownish-purple, 3-4 mm long, pointed, subequal; stamens 3 or 6; anthers 0.7-1 mm long, shorter than, or equal to the filaments.

Fruits:
Capsules, narrowly cylindrical, rounded, blunt, about as long as the perianth segments; seeds egg-shaped, about 0.5 mm long, lacking tail-like appendages.

Notes:
This is a variable species and includes two varieties that are sometimes treated as distinct species:

1. Heads 2 to 5, purplish-brown; stamens 3; blades 3-6 mm wide, sheaths lacking ear-shaped lobes........................... var. ensifolius

1. Heads 5 or more, pale brown; stamens 6; blades 2-4 mm wide, sheaths with ear-shaped lobes............................. var. montanus (Engelm.) C.L. Hitchc.

Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia