Comments
provided by eFloras
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.
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- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
Description
provided by eFloras
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.
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- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
Distribution
provided by eFloras
Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va.; Mexico; West Indies (Cuba); Mexico; Central America (Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua).
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- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
Flowering/Fruiting
provided by eFloras
Flowering late spring--fall (all year south).
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- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
Habitat
provided by eFloras
Acid, sandy, moist pine or oak savanna, pine flatwoods, pond shores, ditches, bogs; 0--300m.
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- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA