Scape 8 or more times as long as spike; flowering spike broad and brush-like from the very long erect filaments; stomates in linear, subsurface, hair-lined chambersScape 5 or less times as long as spike; flowering spike ±cylindrical, the filaments short and erect or, if longer, recurved; stomates at leaf surface or if sunken, then each in a pitSpike shorter than or equal to scapeSpike longer than scapePacking-bracts densely hirsute on abaxial surface, appearing velvetyPacking-bracts glabrous to hirsute or fringed with hairs but not velvetyScape and spike together usually less than 90 cm longScape and spike together usually 90 cm or more longCluster-bracts usually prominent at least in some part of spikeCluster-bracts obscure or restricted to junction of scape and spikeLeaves usually more or less quadrate-rhombic to transverse-rhombic in transverse section, less than 3 mm wideLeaves narrowly transverse-rhombic, depressed-obtrullate, depressed-cuneate to transverse-linear or concave in transverse section, 1.7–10 mm wideLeaves usually more than 4 mm wide; spike 30–150 cm longLeaves usually less than 4 mm wide; spike usually 5–40 cm longLeaves green, not glaucousLeaves blue-green or greyish, glaucous