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Zizania
See list of 2 species in this genusZizania palustris var. interior (Fassett) Dore is mapped for western VT by Terrell et al. (1997); however, this species is not listed for VT in the written distribution of states and provinces (i.e., the manuscript is internally inconsistent). Therefore, this taxon is not here attributed to VT. Vegetative characters (e.g., leaf blade width, ligule length) are highly variable in New England and show tremendous overlap. Identifications based on such characters should be considered tentative. Reference: Terrell et al. (1997).
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1a. Fertile carpellate lemmas coriaceous to indurate, lustrous, glabrous or with scabrules confined to the veins and a dense patch at the apex [Fig. 285]; abortive carpellate spikelets 0.6–2.6 mm wide; carpellate portion of inflorescence 1–8 (–15) cm wide, the branches bearing mature carpellate spikelets appressed (rarely some ascending); leaf blades 3–15 (–20) mm wide; ligules 3–8 (–16) mm long
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1b. Fertile carpellate lemmas chartaceous, flexible, dull or sublustrous, with scattered scabrules on and between the veins, the scabrules not or only slightly concentrated near the apex [Fig. 284]; abortive carpellate spikelets 0.4–1 mm wide; carpellate portion of inflorescence (5–) 10–50 cm wide, the branches bearing mature carpellate spikelets spreading-ascending to ascending (rarely appressed when bearing mainly abortive spikeletes); leaf blades (3–) 10–55 (–72) mm wide; ligules (5–) 10–15 (–30) mm long
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