Xyris ambigua

Beyrich ex Kunth

Enum. Pl. 4: 13. 1843.

Illustrated
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 22.

Herbs, perennial, cespitose or solitary, 30–100 cm. Leaves in broad or narrow fans, (5–)10–40(–50) cm; sheath base tan, straw-colored, or pale pink; blade pale or olive green, linear-triangular, (2–)3–7(–10) mm wide, smooth or slightly papillate, margins smooth to minutely scabrous or papillate. Inflorescences: scape sheaths much exceeded by leaves; scapes linear, rarely flexuous, terete or nearly terete, 1–1.5 mm wide, distally usually 2-ribbed, sometimes with additional ribs; spikes ovoid to ellipsoid, lanceoloid, or cylindric, 10–20(–30) mm; fertile bracts 5–8 mm, margins entire, apex rounded. Flowers: lateral sepals included, dark brown, strongly curved, 4–7 mm, keel firm, ciliate, petals unfolding in morning, blade obovate, 10 mm; staminodes bearded. Seeds translucent, ovoid to ellipsoid, 0.5–0.6 mm, finely multiribbed and cross ribbed. 2n = 18.


Phenology: Flowering late spring–fall (all year south).
Habitat: Acid, sandy, moist pine or oak savanna, pine flatwoods, pond shores, ditches, bogs
Elevation: 0–300 m

Distribution

V22 368-distribution-map.jpg

Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., Mexico, West Indies (Cuba), Mexico, Central America (Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua).

Discussion

Xyris ambigua is one of the more widespread and weedy of xyrids, frequently invading disturbed moist, sandy areas. It is also one of the most variable in habit and apparently forms intermediates with X. stricta and X. torta.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Xyris ambigua"
Robert Kral +
Beyrich ex Kunth +
Ala. +, Ark. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, La. +, Miss. +, N.C. +, S.C. +, Tenn. +, Tex. +, Va. +, Mexico +, West Indies (Cuba) +, Central America (Belize +, Honduras +  and Nicaragua). +
0–300 m +
Acid, sandy, moist pine or oak savanna, pine flatwoods, pond shores, ditches, bogs +
Flowering late spring–fall (all year south). +
Illustrated +
Jupica +, Kotsjiletti +, Ramotha +, Schizmaxon +, Xuris +  and Xyroides +
Xyris ambigua +
species +