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Studies in Sisyrinchium— IV ; S. angustifolium and related Species of 



the West and Northwest 



By Eugene P. Bicknell 



The simple-stemmed blue-flowered Sisyrinchia of the far west 

 and northwest which have hitherto been referred mostly to 5. 



tift 



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reality represent a group of distinct spe- 



cies. This appears unmistakably from a considerable collection 

 of specimens brought together from various sources ; but it is fur- 

 ther evident from this same material that, largely by reason of its 

 general deficiency In specimens with mature fruit, it forms a wholly 

 inadequate basis for the confident segregation of the various forms. 

 The problem presented therefore is the reduction of this in- 

 choate mass into some approach to natural order under conditions 

 which make Impossible a final and satisfactory result. In order to 

 take any forward step In these circumstances It is necessary to pro- 

 ceed in great part on the Individual judgment pending the final 

 proof which a sufficient series of specimens can alone afford. 

 Under the risk of error involved in thus attempting the dis- 



have aimed rather to avoid the 

 creation of any mere synonym than to define the exact nature of 

 the differences between the forms recognized, whether varietal 

 or fully specific. And a number of forms have been passed over 



appearing to have too uncertain claims to possible 



entanglement of the species, I 



entirely as 

 specific rank. 



Sisyrinchium Idahoense sp. nov. 



From 20-45 ^^^^' high, pale green and glaucous, usually show- 

 ing some discoloration in drying. Leaves from half to three quar- 

 ters the height of the stem, grass-like, varying from thin and some- 

 what lax to firm and closely erect, and from 1-3.5 mm. In width, 

 attenuate to somewhat abruptly acute, the edges serrulate or 

 smooth : stem straight and erect or somewhat flexuously curved, 

 frequently twisted, simple or occasionally bearing a leaf near tlie 

 top subtending one or two short branches, 1-3 mm. wide, winged, 

 the ed<:[es sometimes smooth but usually distinctly serrulate, or 



deflected, green 



or 



even hispidulous-aculeolate : spathes often 



faintly purplish, long and relatively narrow, the keels of one or 



(445) 



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