Elegia deusta

Description

stems c�spitose, 1�2 ft. long, erect, unbranched, slender, rigid, compressed, solid; leaf-sheaths persistent, 1 1/2�2 in. long, closely convolute, coriaceous, filiform or aristate male spikelets in dense, terminal, paniculate cymes, 3/4�1 in. long spathes flat, lanceolate, deciduous bracts oblong, coriaceous, blackish-chestnut, shining, subulate, mucronate, shorter than the arcuate trigonous flowers perianth-segments rigid, ferruginous, boat-shaped or oblong, acute, apiculate inner exceeding the outer anthers apiculate pistillode minute, 3-styled female inflorescence as in the male; flowers arcuate, oblong, two or three times longer than the ovate, oblong, mucronate bracts; outer perianth-segments ovate-oblong, acute, subcarinate, glabrous; inner oblong, twice the length of the outer; staminodes 3, liguliform ovary oblong, trigonous, purple, 1-celled, with 3 stigmas.