Nemastylis tenuis (Herbert) Benth.
Family: Iridaceae
Southwestern Pleatleaf
[Nemastylis coelestina var. tenuis ]
Nemastylis tenuis image

Plant: perennial herb; bulbs 2-2.5 cm long, ca. 1.5 cm wide; scales dark brown; stems simple, occasionally 1-branched, 12-30 cm high

Leaves: : basal leaves 2-3, 6-28 cm long, 1-2.5 mm wide, linear; cauline leaves 1, 6-15 cm long, 1-2(-3) mm wide

INFLORESCENCE: usually 1-flowered; bracts unequal, the outer to 2.5 cm long, the inner to 4 cm long; pedicels shorter than bracts

Flowers: actinomorphic, pale blue; tepals 2-3 cm long, to 9 mm wide, the inner slightly shorter and narrower, oblong-ovate to oblanceolate; stamens with filaments 3-4.5 mm long, united at base for 2-3 mm, the anthers 8-10 mm long; style usually shorter than staminal column, the style arms 3-3.5 mm long

Fruit: oblong, 15-25 mm long, opening at the apex; SEEDS yellow or dark brown, ca. 2 mm long, angular

Misc: Grasslands and open oak and juniper woodlands; 1600-1900 m (5300-6200 ft); Jul-Sep

REFERENCES: Mason, Charles T., Jr. 2001. Iridaceae. J. Ariz. - Nev. Acad. Sci. Volume 33(1).