General: Perennial herb from long creeping rhizomes; stems arising singly, not in dense clusters, wiry, flattened, usually bent down or twisted, 20-60 cm tall.
Leaves: Reduced to small sheaths at the base of the stem.
Flowers: Inflorescence globe-shaped with numerous flowers and branches, 0.5-3 cm long, appearing as if it is on the side of the stem; perianth segments dark, with translucent margins, 5-7 mm long, pointed, about equal; stamens 6; anthers twice as long as the filaments; involucral bract, 5-15 cm long, cylindrical, resembling a continuation of the stem.
Fruits: Capsules, egg-shaped with blunt tips, about equal to the perianth segments; seeds lopsided egg-shaped, 0.8 mm long.
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.
