Jepson eFlora Family Key to Group 15

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

Group 15: Herbs, subshrubs, or herbaceous vines; leaf venation generally pinnate or palmate; perianth in 1 whorl or 0; pistil 1, ovary superior

1. 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).

2. Plant aquatic, weak-stemmed; submersed, floating, or stranded on mud

3. 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.

; ovary lobed or unlobed; seeds 4–many

4. Ovary unlobed, many-seeded ..... LYTHRACEAE (Lythrum portula)

4' Ovary 2- or 4-lobed, 4-seeded ..... PLANTAGINACEAE (Callitriche) {G2,8}

3' Leaves 

whorled 

Arranged in groups of three or more at nodes or positions along an axis (e.g., three leaves per node).

; ovary unlobed; seed 1

5. Leaves dissected into narrow 

lobes 

1. A major expansion or bulge, such as on the margin of a leaf, sepal, or petal, or on the surface of an ovary. 2. The free tips of otherwise fused structures, such as sepals or petals; larger than teeth.

..... CERATOPHYLLACEAE {G2,6,8,14}

5' Leaves 

entire 

Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).

..... PLANTAGINACEAE (Hippuris) {G2,14}

2' Plant terrestrial, sometimes in damp soil, or in areas flooded at high tide

6. Ovary chambers 2 or more (doubtful cases should be keyed both ways)

7. Flowers unisexual

8. Style 0, stigma 

sessile 

Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.

; leaves ± 

cylindric 

Elongate, with parallel sides and, at any point, round in transverse section.

or 3-angled in ×-section, fleshy; milky latex 0; plants of coastal salt-marshes ..... BATACEAE {G6,8,24}

8' Styles or stigmas 2–3, free; leaves thin; milky latex present or 0; plants of various habitats but not salt marsh ..... EUPHORBIACEAE (3) {G7,9}

7' Flowers 

bisexual 

Both male and female reproductive parts occurring and functional in the same plant or structure (e.g., flower, spikelet, inflorescence).

9. 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.

, equal; fruit 

circumscissile 

Dehiscence, usually of a fruit (capsule), by a transverse line, the top coming off as a lid.

— 1/2-inferior ovary may appear superior ..... AIZOACEAE (Sesuvium)

9' Leaves 

whorled 

Arranged in groups of three or more at nodes or positions along an axis (e.g., three leaves per node).

, often unequal; fruit 

loculicidal 

Pertaining to dehiscence of a fruit (capsule) by a longitudinal line through the wall at or near the center of each chamber, such that each resulting segment corresponds to the two adjacent halves of two adjacent chambers, usually with a placenta-bearing septum centrally.

..... MOLLUGINACEAE

6' Ovary chamber 1

10. Ovules 2–many; fruit a capsule

11. Perianth parts 6(8) — sepals actually present in 

bud 

1. An incompletely developed, more or less embryonic shoot, usually covered with bud scales. 2. An unopened flower, often protected by sepals.

, but early-deciduous, 0 in open flower ..... PAPAVERACEAE (2) (Papaveroideae)

{G12,20,22,24}

11' Perianth parts (4)5

12. Sepals free; flowers generally in 

cymes 

1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae and some other groups, a branched inflorescence in which the central or uppermost flower opens before the peripheral or lowermost flowers on any axis. see 2. In Asteraceae and some other groups, a cyme-like inflorescence is one in which the central or uppermost inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae, umbels enclosed by involucres in Eriogonum), instead of individual flowers, develop and mature before the peripheral or lowermost inflorescence units on any axis.

..... CARYOPHYLLACEAE (2) {G6,8,24}

12' Sepals fused; flowers solitary in 

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).

 axils

13. Leaves of a pair unequal; stipules present; fruit 

circumscissile 

Dehiscence, usually of a fruit (capsule), by a transverse line, the top coming off as a lid.

..... AIZOACEAE {G14,17,21}

13' Leaves of a pair equal; stipules 0; fruit 5-valved ..... MYRSINACEAE (Lysimachia maritima)

10' Ovule 1; 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.

, 1-seeded capsule, or 

utricle 

Mostly dry, dehiscent or indehiscent fruit from a generally compound pistil in which a balloon- or bladder-like ovary wall loosely encloses (or, in some Amaranthaceae, is adherent to) a single seed.

14. Style 1, undivided or stigma 1, 

sessile 

Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.

15. Sepals petal-like, fused into a tube; leaves 

entire 

Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).

or slightly lobed, stinging hairs 0 ..... NYCTAGINACEAE {G5,14,17,19}

15' Sepals green, small, inconspicuous; leaves toothed or 

entire 

Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).

, sometimes with stinging hairs

16. Herbage densely covered with branched hairs ..... AMARANTHACEAE (Tidestromia) (2)

16' Herbage glabrous or ± hairy, hairs not branched (stinging hairs present in Hesperocnide, Urtica) ..... URTICACEAE (2) {G6,8}

14' Styles or style branches 2 or more

17. Leaves palmately compound or deeply lobed ..... CANNABACEAE {G6,8}

17' Leaves 

simple 

Composed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.

, 

entire 

Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).

or toothed

18. Fruit a 3-angled 

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.

; perianth parts 6 [actually in 2 whorls of 3, but this may not be evident in open flowers] ..... POLYGONACEAE (3) {G2,6,8,16,19}

18' Fruit not 3-angled; perianth parts <= 5

19. Leaves with stipules

20. Leaves petioled, fleshy; fruit a 

circumscissile 

Dehiscence, usually of a fruit (capsule), by a transverse line, the top coming off as a lid.

 capsule ..... AIZOACEAE (Trianthema)

20' Leaves 

sessile 

Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.

, not fleshy; fruit 1-seeded, 

indehiscent 

Not opening inherently to release contents; usually pertaining to fruits.

..... CARYOPHYLLACEAE (2) {G6,8,24}

19' Leaves without stipules

21. Leaves reduced to fleshy scales; inflorescence a fleshy 

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.

..... CHENOPODIACEAE (3) {G6,7,8,9,11}

21' Leaves 

linear 

Elongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.

to 

ovate 

Egg-shaped (i.e., widest below the middle) in two dimensions (i.e., in one plane), as a leaf.

; inflorescences various or flowers solitary

22. Sepals 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

, 

linear 

Elongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.

, fused below and hardened around ovary; stamens fused to calyx; slender annual, generally <= 15 cm; leaves narrowly linear, <= 15 mm ..... CARYOPHYLLACEAE (Scleranthus) {G14}

22' Sepals 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

or 

spreading 

Oriented more or less perpendicularly to the axis of attachment; often, more or less horizontal.

, free, not hardened around ovary (sepals generally 0 in pistillate flowers of Atriplex, which has a pair of ± hardened bractlets around fruit); stamens free from calyx; plants often larger, annual or 

perennial 

Completing life cycle (germination through death) in more than two years or growing seasons, generally non-woody (at least above ground) to woody; includes perennial herbs as well as subshrubs to trees; the abbreviation 'per' only refers to perennial herb, not to the word 'perennial' alone.

 herb; leaves various

23. Bracts subtending flowers dry, scarious; plants neither fleshy nor with powdery or beaded surface; habitats generally not saline ..... AMARANTHACEAE (2)

23' Bracts subtending flowers leaf-like or fleshy; plants often fleshy or with powdery or beaded surface; habitats often ± saline

24. Sepals pink or white, papery; plant from 

rhizome 

1. In seed plants, stem that is often elongate, more or less horizontal, usually underground; distinguished from roots by bearing of leaves, leaf scars, axillary buds, etc. 2. In ferns, stem that is located underground, embedded in leaf litter, on rocks or in rock crevices, or on trees or tree branches, often scaly or hairy; distinguished from roots by bearing of fronds (roots rarely bear fronds), and their greater diameter.

..... AMARANTHACEAE (Nitrophila)

24' Sepals green or ± red-tinged, herbaceous; 

rhizome 

1. In seed plants, stem that is often elongate, more or less horizontal, usually underground; distinguished from roots by bearing of leaves, leaf scars, axillary buds, etc. 2. In ferns, stem that is located underground, embedded in leaf litter, on rocks or in rock crevices, or on trees or tree branches, often scaly or hairy; distinguished from roots by bearing of fronds (roots rarely bear fronds), and their greater diameter.

0 ..... CHENOPODIACEAE (3) {G6,7,8,9,11}

1' 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'.

or 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.

25. Plant aquatic, raft-like, floating on water surface or stranded on shoreline — leaves in 

rosettes 

A radiating cluster of leaves generally at or near ground level.

, wedge-shaped, 

sessile 

Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.

, velvety; flowers enclosed by small, sheathing bracts ..... ARACEAE ([Pistia]) {G2}

25' Plant terrestrial or rooted in shallow water

26. Inflorescence a ± fleshy 

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.

enclosed by a large, basally sheathing, often petal-like 

bract 

Reduced, leaf- or scale-like structure subtending a branch, cone scale, peduncle, pedicel, or flower.

; 

petiole 

Leaf stalk, connecting leaf blade to stem; sometimes more or less indistinct.

 stout ..... ARACEAE {G2,6,8,13}

26' Inflorescence various but not a fleshy 

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.

subtended by a sheathing 

bract 

Reduced, leaf- or scale-like structure subtending a branch, cone scale, peduncle, pedicel, or flower.

; leaves 

sessile 

Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.

or ± slender-petioled

27. Leaves with stipules, generally well developed

28. Style 1, unbranched, or stigma 

sessile 

Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.

29. Ovule 1; 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.

..... ROSACEAE {G10,20,21,22,23}

29' Ovules several to many; fruit a capsule — late season cleistogamous flowers formed in most Viola species ..... VIOLACEAE {G5,20,24}

28' Styles or stigmas 2 or more

30. Leaves palmately compound ..... CANNABACEAE (Cannabis) {G6,8}

30' Leaves 

simple 

Composed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.

, 

entire 

Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).

to lobed

31. Plant a vine, stems twining

32. Leaves toothed, at least the proximal also palmately lobed ..... CANNABACEAE (Humulus) {G6,8}

32' Leaves 

entire 

Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).

..... POLYGONACEAE (Fallopia)

31' Plant 

prostrate 

Lying flat on the ground.

to 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

, stems not twining

33. Stipules fused into a membranous 

sheath 

A surrounding or partially surrounding, often tubular structure or part of a structure, such as a leaf base in Apiaceae or Poaceae.

[ocrea] around stem, the sheath sometimes torn or shredded as branches develop ..... POLYGONACEAE (3) {G2,6,8,16,19}

33' Stipules free, not fused around stem, not torn or shredded as branches develop

34. Annual; stems 

prostrate 

Lying flat on the ground.

; stinging hairs 0; flowers 

bisexual 

Both male and female reproductive parts occurring and functional in the same plant or structure (e.g., flower, spikelet, inflorescence).

..... CARYOPHYLLACEAE (Herniaria)

34' Perennial herb; stems 

spreading 

Oriented more or less perpendicularly to the axis of attachment; often, more or less horizontal.

to 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

; stinging hairs present; flowers unisexual ..... EUPHORBIACEAE (Tragia) {G6}

27' Leaves without stipules, sometimes reduced to scale-like bracts

35. Inflorescence flower-like with a cup-like 

involucre 

Group of bracts more or less held together as a unit, subtending a flower, fruit (acorn cup), or inflorescence.

bearing 1–4(5) nectary glands that sometimes have flattened, white to ± pink, petal-like, marginal appendages — stamens [actually staminate flowers] each with a jointed stalk [composed of a filament and a pedicel], pistillate flower 1, generally 

exserted 

Protruding out of surrounding structure(s) (e.g., stamens exserted from corolla).

from involucre, ovary 3-lobed ..... EUPHORBIACEAE (3) {G7,9}

35' Inflorescence not flower-like or with a cup-like, nectary-gland-bearing 

involucre 

Group of bracts more or less held together as a unit, subtending a flower, fruit (acorn cup), or inflorescence.

36. Perianth parts 4 or 6, ± petal-like

37. Perianth parts 4 or 6, free; stigmas 1–many, generally 

sessile 

Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.

; fruit a capsule — sepals actually present in 

bud 

1. An incompletely developed, more or less embryonic shoot, usually covered with bud scales. 2. An unopened flower, often protected by sepals.

, but early-deciduous, 0 in open flower ..... PAPAVERACEAE (2) (Papaveroideae)

{G12,20,22,24}

37' Perianth parts 6, proximally fused; stigmas 3, at tips of slender styles; fruit a 3-angled 

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.

..... POLYGONACEAE (3) {G2,6,8,16,19}

36' Perianth parts <= 5, sometimes 0, generally not petal-like

38. 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.

, palmately compound; leaflets 3; perianth 0 ..... BERBERIDACEAE (Achlys)

38' Leaves cauline, 

simple 

Composed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.

; perianth generally present

39. Ovule 1; inflorescences various

40. Herbage ± densely covered with branched hairs

41. Flowers 

bisexual 

Both male and female reproductive parts occurring and functional in the same plant or structure (e.g., flower, spikelet, inflorescence).

; hairs soft, irregularly branched, branches all short; fruit 

indehiscent 

Not opening inherently to release contents; usually pertaining to fruits.

— 

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).

arrangement variable, often difficult to interpret ..... AMARANTHACEAE (Tidestromia) (2)

41' Flowers unisexual; hairs harshly 

stellate 

Pertaining to a hair or other structure with three or more branches radiating in two or three dimensions from a common point.

, central branches often long, 

spreading 

Oriented more or less perpendicularly to the axis of attachment; often, more or less horizontal.

, bristle-like; fruit 

dehiscent 

Opening at maturity to release contents; usually pertaining to anthers or fruits.

..... EUPHORBIACEAE (Croton setiger)

40' Herbage glabrous or ± hairy, hairs not branched

42. Stigma 1 ..... URTICACEAE (2) {G6,8}

42' Stigmas 2–4

43. Bracts subtending flowers scarious-margined or dry and scarious throughout ..... AMARANTHACEAE (2)

43' Bracts subtending flowers 0 or not scarious or scarious-margined ..... CHENOPODIACEAE (3) {G6,7,8,9,11}

39' Ovules 2–many; inflorescence generally a 

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.

(spike, 

axillary 

Pertaining to or within an axil, especially a leaf axil.

cluster)

44. Flowers unisexual ..... EUPHORBIACEAE (3) {G7,9}

44' Flowers 

bisexual 

Both male and female reproductive parts occurring and functional in the same plant or structure (e.g., flower, spikelet, inflorescence).

45. Plant red- and white-striped, non-photosynthetic, green pigment 0 ..... ERICACEAE (Allotropa)

45' Plant green and photosynthetic

46. Sepals 4 ..... BRASSICACEAE {G2,20,24}

46' Sepals 5

47. Stems ± 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

, <= 3(7) m; 

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).

6–36 cm; flowers many in 

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 

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.

; fruit a berry, chambers 5–12; perianth 

radial 

Divisible into mirror-image halves in three or more ways.

..... PHYTOLACCACEAE

47' Stems ± 

decumbent 

lying mostly flat on the ground but with tips curving up.

, 0.5–3.5 dm; 

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).

<= 6 cm; flowers 1–few in 

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.

; fruit a capsule; chambers 2; perianth 

bilateral 

Divisible into mirror-image halves in only one way.

— some flowers often ± cleistogamous ..... POLYGALACEAE {G18,22,23,24}