Jepson eFlora Family Key to Group 13

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Citation for the whole project: Jepson Flora Project (eds.) . Jepson eFlora, https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/ [accessed on ]

Group 13: Herbs; leaf venation generally parallel or leaves and stem not differentiated; perianth in 1 whorl or absent, sometimes reduced to bristles or minute scales; pistil 1

1. Plant terrestrial, or if aquatic, strongly emergent

2. Flowers all unisexual; inflorescence either a dense
erect
Upright; vertically oriented.

spike
1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, an unbranched inflorescence in which the flowers are sessile and nearly always open from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a spike-like inflorescence is one in which the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are sessile and attached directly to the main axis of the inflorescence, not to branches, and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.
of staminate flowers directly distal to a spike of pistillate flowers, or a group of several spheric unisexual heads attached to a zigzag main axis, spikes or heads 1–4 cm diam ..... TYPHACEAE

2' Flowers
bisexual
Both male and female reproductive parts occurring and functional in the same plant or structure (e.g., flower, spikelet, inflorescence).
or some or all unisexual; inflorescences of various types, generally < 1 cm diam if
spike
1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, an unbranched inflorescence in which the flowers are sessile and nearly always open from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a spike-like inflorescence is one in which the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are sessile and attached directly to the main axis of the inflorescence, not to branches, and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.
or
head
1. A dense, often spheric inflorescence of sessile or subsessile flowers.
2. In Asteraceae and some other groups, a head-like inflorescence is one in which sessile or subsessile inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae, umbels enclosed by involucres in Eriogonum), instead of individual flowers, are attached in a short dense cluster without an evident axis or branches.

3. Fruit a berry or capsule with 3–many seeds or breaking into 1-seeded mericarps; perianth segments 4–6, well developed — actually in two whorls, but this may not be evident in open flowers

4. Leaves with expanded blades; perianth parts petal-like, white or cream ..... RUSCACEAE (Maianthemum)

4' Leaves narrowly
linear
Elongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
; perianth parts scale-like, green to brown or ± purple-black or tinged ± red-purple

5. Inflorescence of 1–many flowers, variously clustered, subtended individually and/or in small groups by bracts; style 1, stigmas (2)3,
linear
Elongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
,
spreading
Oriented more or less perpendicularly to the axis of attachment; often, more or less horizontal.
; fruit a capsule ..... JUNCACEAE {G16}

5' Inflorescence a bractless
raceme
In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, an unbranched inflorescence in which the flowers are borne on pedicels and nearly always open from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a raceme-like inflorescence is one in which the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are stalked and attached directly to the main axis of the inflorescence, not to branches, and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.
; stigmas 3 or 6, ±
sessile
Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.
,
papillate
Pertaining to a surface (e.g., of a leaf, stigma, fruit) bearing small, rounded or conic protuberances (papillae).
or
plumose
Plume-like, usually with the parts arrayed in three dimensions around an axis, or in tufts held together at the base; usually pertaining to small, finely divided structures, such as certain stigmas and pappus elements.
; fruit breaking into mericarps ..... JUNCAGINACEAE {G2,10,16}

3' Fruit an
achene
Dry, indehiscent, 1-seeded fruit from a 1-chambered ovary, sometimes winged, often appearing to be a naked seed. A 1-seeded dry fruit derived from an inferior ovary of > 1 carpel (e.g., Asteraceae, Dipsacaceae) is sometimes called a cypsela.
or grain, 1-seeded; perianth inconspicuous or 0 or modified as ± conspicuous bristles

6. Inflorescence a bractless emergent
spike
1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, an unbranched inflorescence in which the flowers are sessile and nearly always open from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a spike-like inflorescence is one in which the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are sessile and attached directly to the main axis of the inflorescence, not to branches, and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.
of
bisexual
Both male and female reproductive parts occurring and functional in the same plant or structure (e.g., flower, spikelet, inflorescence).
and sometimes staminate flowers, plus 2 submerged, long-styled,
sessile
Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.
pistillate flowers enclosed by
leaf
Organ arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).

sheath
A surrounding or partially surrounding, often tubular structure or part of a structure, such as a leaf base in Apiaceae or Poaceae.
at base of
peduncle
Stalk of an individual flower borne singly, not in an inflorescence, or of an entire inflorescence, or the corresponding structure in fruit; the stalk subtending an involucre (e.g., in Asteraceae, Polygonaceae).
; stamen 1; stigma 1 ..... JUNCAGINACEAE (Triglochin scilloides) (2) {G8}

6' Inflorescence 1–many
spikelets
1. In Poaceae, one or more florets (each a flower with subtending lemma and generally palea) and generally 2 subtending glumes; in a sterile spikelet, the flower(s) and sometimes palea(s) are rudimentary or absent. 2. In Cyperaceae, the smallest aggregation of flowers (generally more than 2) and associated bracts.
with flowers individually subtended or enclosed by scale-like bracts; stamens (1)3(6); stigmas 2–3

7. Stem leafless, the leaves all
basal
At or near the base of a plant or plant part. Especially said of leaves clustered near the ground or of a placenta confined to the base of an ovary.
, sometimes reduced to bladeless sheaths ..... CYPERACEAE (2) {G2,8}

7' Stem at least proximally leafy

8. Stems generally 3-angled (cylindric), generally solid;
nodes
Position on a stem from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.
not swollen; leaves generally 3-ranked;
spikelet
1. In Poaceae, one or more florets (each a flower with subtending lemma and generally palea) and generally 2 subtending glumes; in a sterile spikelet, the flower(s) and sometimes palea(s) are rudimentary or absent. 2. In Cyperaceae, the smallest aggregation of flowers (generally more than 2) and associated bracts.
generally without 2 bractlets at base that do not directly subtend flower parts; each flower subtended by 1
bract
Reduced, leaf- or scale-like structure subtending a branch, cone scale, peduncle, pedicel, or flower.
(in Carex and Kobresia a second, generally hollow, ± flask-shaped bract [perigynium] surrounds or encloses each pistillate flower); perianth of generally inconspicuous to long-exserted bristles or 0; fruit an
achene
Dry, indehiscent, 1-seeded fruit from a 1-chambered ovary, sometimes winged, often appearing to be a naked seed. A 1-seeded dry fruit derived from an inferior ovary of > 1 carpel (e.g., Asteraceae, Dipsacaceae) is sometimes called a cypsela.
..... CYPERACEAE (2) {G2,8}

8' Stems
cylindric
Elongate, with parallel sides and, at any point, round in transverse section.
, the
internodes
Segment of an axis (generally a stem) between successive positions (nodes) from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.
generally hollow;
nodes
Position on a stem from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.
swollen, knot-like; leaves 2-ranked or not in obvious ranks; each
spikelet
1. In Poaceae, one or more florets (each a flower with subtending lemma and generally palea) and generally 2 subtending glumes; in a sterile spikelet, the flower(s) and sometimes palea(s) are rudimentary or absent. 2. In Cyperaceae, the smallest aggregation of flowers (generally more than 2) and associated bracts.
generally with 2 bractlets [glumes] at base that do not directly subtend flower parts; each flower generally enclosed by 2 additional bractlets [lemma and palea]; perianth of 2 tiny scales or 0; fruit a grain ..... POACEAE {G2,5,6,8}

1' Plant aquatic, submersed or floating

9. Plant raft-like, free-floating or stranded on shore or drying mud, either plant body 0.4–10 mm, not differentiated into stems and leaves with roots unbranched or 0, or plant with floating
rosette
A radiating cluster of leaves generally at or near ground level.
of widely wedge-shaped, velvety-hairy leaves and many fine, branched roots ..... ARACEAE {G2,6,8,15}

9' Plant not raft-like, generally rooted, >> 1 cm, differentiated into stems and leaves, not forming floating
rosettes
A radiating cluster of leaves generally at or near ground level.
; roots generally present, often branched; leaves
linear
Elongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
, glabrous

10. Leaves
opposite
1. Arranged in pairs along an axis - e.g., two leaves per node. 2. Occurring in the same rank, directly above or below, as 'stamens opposite petals'. 3. Located directly across from.
or
whorled
Arranged in groups of three or more at nodes or positions along an axis (e.g., three leaves per node).
(occasionally
alternate
1. Arranged singly, often spirally, along an axis - e.g., one leaf per node. 2. Occurring in different ranks, appearing to be between, not directly above or below, as 'stamens alternate petals'.
at some nodes), all cauline

11. Leaf coarsely to finely toothed (teeth sometimes appearing ± 0 to naked eye); stipules 0 (leaf base may have ear-like lobes); fruit without a stiff beak ..... HYDROCHARITACEAE (Najas) {G2,8}

11' Leaf
entire
Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).
; stipules fused to
blade
Expanded portion of a leaf, petal, or other structure, generally flat but sometimes rolled, cylindric, wavy, or cupped.
or free, membranous, entire; fruit with a stiff beak ..... ZANNICHELLIACEAE {G2,8,10}

10' Leaves
alternate
1. Arranged singly, often spirally, along an axis - e.g., one leaf per node. 2. Occurring in different ranks, appearing to be between, not directly above or below, as 'stamens alternate petals'.
,
basal
At or near the base of a plant or plant part. Especially said of leaves clustered near the ground or of a placenta confined to the base of an ovary.
and/or cauline

12. Leaves all ±
basal
At or near the base of a plant or plant part. Especially said of leaves clustered near the ground or of a placenta confined to the base of an ovary.
, sheaths overlapping and blades emerging at different levels, but stem
internodes
Segment of an axis (generally a stem) between successive positions (nodes) from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.
very short, not evident — pistillate flowers paired,
axillary
Pertaining to or within an axil, especially a leaf axil.
, submersed, style 6–20 cm, thread-like, stigma floating, head-like; staminate and
bisexual
Both male and female reproductive parts occurring and functional in the same plant or structure (e.g., flower, spikelet, inflorescence).
flowers in peduncled
spike
1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, an unbranched inflorescence in which the flowers are sessile and nearly always open from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a spike-like inflorescence is one in which the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are sessile and attached directly to the main axis of the inflorescence, not to branches, and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.
..... JUNCAGINACEAE (Triglochin scilloides) (2) {G8}

12' Leaves
basal
At or near the base of a plant or plant part. Especially said of leaves clustered near the ground or of a placenta confined to the base of an ovary.
and cauline or all cauline, stem
internodes
Segment of an axis (generally a stem) between successive positions (nodes) from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.
evident

13. Inflorescence a dense, spheric
head
1. A dense, often spheric inflorescence of sessile or subsessile flowers.
2. In Asteraceae and some other groups, a head-like inflorescence is one in which sessile or subsessile inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae, umbels enclosed by involucres in Eriogonum), instead of individual flowers, are attached in a short dense cluster without an evident axis or branches.
..... TYPHACEAE (Sparganium) {G2,6,8}

13' Inflorescence a
spike
1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, an unbranched inflorescence in which the flowers are sessile and nearly always open from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a spike-like inflorescence is one in which the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are sessile and attached directly to the main axis of the inflorescence, not to branches, and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.
or flowers solitary

14. Inflorescence a flattened
spike
1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, an unbranched inflorescence in which the flowers are sessile and nearly always open from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a spike-like inflorescence is one in which the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are sessile and attached directly to the main axis of the inflorescence, not to branches, and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.
enwrapped by a sheathing
bract
Reduced, leaf- or scale-like structure subtending a branch, cone scale, peduncle, pedicel, or flower.
; subtidal or intertidal seawater or brackish water of bays and estuaries ..... ZOSTERACEAE {G2,6,8}

14' Inflorescence a
cylindric
Elongate, with parallel sides and, at any point, round in transverse section.

spike
1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, an unbranched inflorescence in which the flowers are sessile and nearly always open from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a spike-like inflorescence is one in which the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are sessile and attached directly to the main axis of the inflorescence, not to branches, and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.
, short- to long-stalked; freshwater, brackish, or inland saltwater habitat — carpels actually free but easily misinterpreted

15. Sepals 4; stamens 4; fruits
sessile
Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.
; fresh water in lakes, streams, ponds ..... POTAMOGETONACEAE {G2,10}

15' Sepals 0; stamens 2; fruits on thread-like stalks; fresh to brackish or salt water in coastal to inland areas ..... RUPPIACEAE {G2,8,10}