Jepson eFlora Family Key to Group 23

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

Group 23: Shrubs, trees, and woody vines; leaves simple; perianth in 2 whorls; petals 4 or more, free; stamens 2 × as many as petals or fewer; 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. Leaves 2-lobed, resin-coated; flowers bright yellow; fruit covered with white, 

spreading 

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

 hairs — desert shrub; 

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).

sometimes treated as compound with 2 leaflets fused at base ..... ZYGOPHYLLACEAE (Larrea)

2' Leaves 

entire 

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

or toothed to palmately lobed or divided; flower ± green or white to creamy yellow, blue, or purple; fruit not covered with white, 

spreading 

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

 hairs

3. Leaves lobed or divided; fruit splitting into mericarps

4. Shrub <= 1 m; stigmas 5, on long, stiff style; ovary not winged; mericarps wingless, each tipped by a spirally coiled beak ..... GERANIACEAE (Pelargonium) (2) {G24}

4' Tree or large shrub; stigmas 2(3), ± 

sessile 

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

; ovary 2(3)-winged; mericarps winged, beaks 0 ..... SAPINDACEAE (Acer) {G7,12}

3' Leaves 

entire 

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

or toothed; fruit a capsule or drupe

5. Leaves ± fleshy, salt encrusted, generally < 1 mm wide, united across 

node 

Position on a stem from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.

by a 

sheath 

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

..... FRANKENIACEAE (Frankenia palmeri)

5' Leaves generally thin or leathery, not salt encrusted, generally >= 2 mm wide, not united by a 

sheath 

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

6. Stamens > in number than petals ..... RUTACEAE (Cneoridium)

6' Stamens = in number to petals

7. Petals 

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.

 stamens, generally ± cupped ..... RHAMNACEAE {G12,21}

7' Petals 

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'.

 stamens, generally ± flat

8. 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.

..... CELASTRACEAE

8' Leaves ± 

whorled 

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

at some 

nodes 

Position on a stem from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.

, 

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 others ..... PITTOSPORACEAE

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'.

, sometimes reduced to minute scales or so quickly deciduous that the plants are generally leafless

9. Leaves lobed

10. Tendrils present; plant a woody vine, generally trailing or climbing on other plants

11. Flowers solitary, large and showy ..... PASSIFLORACEAE

11' Flowers in 

panicles 

1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a branched inflorescence in which the basal or lateral flowers (or some of them) open before the terminal or central flowers on any axis. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a panicle-like inflorescence is one in which at least some of the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are attached (stalked or unstalked) to branches and not directly to the main axis of the inflorescence and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.

, small and inconspicuous ..... VITACEAE (Vitis) {G7,9,12}

10' Tendrils 0; plant ± 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

, not climbing

12. Inflorescence a 

panicle 

1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a branched inflorescence in which the basal or lateral flowers (or some of them) open before the terminal or central flowers on any axis. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a panicle-like inflorescence is one in which at least some of the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are attached (stalked or unstalked) to branches and not directly to the main axis of the inflorescence and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.

; flowers 

radial 

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

; 2–4 mm diam; fruit a drupe ..... ANACARDIACEAE (Rhus aromatica)

12' Inflorescence an 

umbel 

1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae and some other groups, an inflorescence in which three to many pedicels and, if compound, branches (rays) radiate from a common point; characteristic of but not confined to Apiaceae. 2. In Asteraceae and some other groups, an umbel-like inflorescence is one in which three to many stalked inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae, umbels enclosed by involucres in Eriogonum), instead of individual flowers, radiate from a common point of attachment without an evident axis or branches.

; flowers ± 

bilateral 

Divisible into mirror-image halves in only one way.

, 15–40 mm wide; fruit splitting into 5 mericarps ..... GERANIACEAE (Pelargonium) (2) {G24}

9' Leaves 

entire 

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

or toothed, unlobed

13. Leaf palmately veined, the 

blade 

Expanded portion of a leaf, petal, or other structure, generally flat but sometimes rolled, cylindric, wavy, or cupped.

well developed

14. Flowers strongly 

bilateral 

Divisible into mirror-image halves in only one way.

..... FABACEAE (Cercis)

14' Flowers 

radial 

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

..... RHAMNACEAE (Ceanothus)

13' Leaf pinnately veined, 1-veined, or reduced to a bladeless 

scale 

1. Wide, appressed, membranous, epidermal outgrowth (e.g., Cheilanthes covillei) 2. Structure partially or entirely covering an over-wintering bud (bud scale) (e.g., Salix goodingii bud). 3. In gymnosperms, a woody, seed-bearing structure attached to the cone axis (cone scale) (e.g., Abies magnifica). 4. In Asteraceae, a flat, membranous pappus element (e.g., Hymenoxys hoopesii). Leaves or bracts may be scale-like in one or more of the preceding ways.

15. Flowers strongly 

bilateral 

Divisible into mirror-image halves in only one way.

16. Stamens 4, all inserted on 1 side of ovary, free or nearly so; sepals rose-purple, petal-like, widely 

spreading 

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

; upper 3 petals similar, stalked, free or fused, lower 2 petals reduced to fleshy scales or glands; fruit an 

indehiscent 

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

pod bearing slender, barb-tipped prickles ..... KRAMERIACEAE

16' Stamens 6–8 or 10, all filaments or 9 of 10 fused into a tube around the ovary [tube often open on 1 side]; sepals variously colored, sometimes petal-like; no petals reduced to fleshy scales or glands; fruit a capsule, legume, or unarmed, 

indehiscent 

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

pod

17. Sepals all fused, at least at base, forming a cup-shaped to 

cylindric 

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

 calyx tube, generally not petal-like; the odd petal [banner] uppermost, overlapping the margins of the 2 upper lateral petals; lower 2 lateral petals generally free at base but fused toward the tip, forming a keel that encloses stamens and ovary; fruit a legume or 

indehiscent 

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

pod ..... FABACEAE (Papilionoideae)

17' Sepals free, petal-like, 2 of them 

spreading 

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

and very different from the other 3; the odd petal lowermost, often appendaged, folded and forming a keel enclosing stamens and ovary, a banner petal never present; fruit a flattened capsule ..... POLYGALACEAE {G15,18,22,24}

15' Flowers 

radial 

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

or nearly so

18. Stamens > in number than petals (sterile stamens as many as petals in pistillate flowers of Castela (Simaroubaceae))

19. Petals dark blue-purple; stems and leaves gland-dotted, very strongly scented ..... RUTACEAE (Thamnosma)

19' Petals white to yellow or green; stems and leaves not scented

20. Hypanthium present, well developed, tubular or cup-shaped ..... ROSACEAE {G10,15,21,22}

20' Hypanthium 0 or small and disk-shaped

21. Anthers opening by small round pores; petals 5; stem not thorn-tipped; moist sites ..... ERICACEAE (Rhododendron columbianum)

21' Anthers opening along sides by long slits; petals 4–6; stems (except Glossopetalon pungens) generally thorn-tipped; arid sites

22. Flowers unisexual; ovary deeply 4–8-lobed ..... SIMAROUBACEAE (Castela) {G7,9,10}

22' Flowers 

bisexual 

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

; ovary unlobed

23. Petals generally 5; ovary 

sessile 

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

on receptacle, chamber 1; stem angled; leaves 

oblong 

Longer than wide, with nearly parallel sides; wider than linear.

or narrowly 

elliptic 

In the shape of a flattened circle or ellipse; wider than linear

to obovate, deciduous or ± persistent; fruit a follicle ..... CROSSOSOMATACEAE (Glossopetalon) (2)

23' Petals 4; ovary raised ± 1 mm above receptacle on short stalk, chambers 2; stem smooth; leaves scale-like, soon deciduous; fruit a berry ..... KOEBERLINIACEAE

18' Stamens = in number to petals

24. Leaves all reduced to bladeless scales; twigs very slender, jointed, green ..... TAMARICACEAE

24' Leaves with expanded blades, 

linear 

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

to (ob)ovate, sometimes early deciduous; twigs not jointed, green or brown

25. Stamens 

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.

 petals; petals generally with cupped 

blade 

Expanded portion of a leaf, petal, or other structure, generally flat but sometimes rolled, cylindric, wavy, or cupped.

..... RHAMNACEAE (2) {G12,21}

25' Stamens 

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'.

 petals; petals generally flat

26. Leaves 6–17 mm

27. Flowers many in tight, leafy-bracted 

panicle 

1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a branched inflorescence in which the basal or lateral flowers (or some of them) open before the terminal or central flowers on any axis. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a panicle-like inflorescence is one in which at least some of the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are attached (stalked or unstalked) to branches and not directly to the main axis of the inflorescence and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.

; ovary chambers 5 ..... CELASTRACEAE (Mortonia)

27' Flowers solitary, 

axillary 

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

; ovary chamber 1 ..... CROSSOSOMATACEAE (Glossopetalon) (2)

26' Leaves 15–150 mm

28. Petals 8–15 mm ..... PITTOSPORACEAE (2) {G9}

28' Petals 1.5–3 mm

29. Leaves 5–10 mm wide, ± 

lanceolate 

Narrowly elongate, widest in the basal half, often tapered to an acute tip.

..... CELASTRACEAE (Maytenus)

29' Leaves 20–80 mm wide, 

elliptic 

In the shape of a flattened circle or ellipse; wider than linear

to 

ovate 

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

30. Inflorescence a terminal 

panicle 

1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a branched inflorescence in which the basal or lateral flowers (or some of them) open before the terminal or central flowers on any axis. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a panicle-like inflorescence is one in which at least some of the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are attached (stalked or unstalked) to branches and not directly to the main axis of the inflorescence and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.

..... ANACARDIACEAE {G7,9,20}

30' Inflorescence a 

cyme 

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.

, generally 

axillary 

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

..... AQUIFOLIACEAE {G7,9,19}