Jepson eFlora Family Key to Group 5

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

Group 5: Fruits developing from cleistogamous flowers; plants sometimes also producing open flowers

1. Cleistogamous flowers formed at or below ground or water surface

2. Plant ± aquatic, submersed or emergent

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.

, palmately veined ..... PLANTAGINACEAE (Bacopa) (2)

3' 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'.

, parallel-veined ..... PONTEDERIACEAE (Heteranthera)

2' Plant terrestrial

4. Leaves petioled

5. Fruit 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.

, tightly enclosed by hardened perianth; cleistogamous flowers at stem base ..... POLYGONACEAE (Emex spinosa)

5' Fruit ovoid to 

oblong 

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

 capsule, not enclosed by hardened perianth; cleistogamous flowers in proximal 

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 ..... VIOLACEAE (2) {G15,20,24}

4' Leaves 

sessile 

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

6. Leaves ± 

linear 

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

, ± 1-veined, not sheathing; cleistogamous flowers at stem base, sometimes maturing underground ..... BORAGINACEAE (Pectocarya)

6' Leaves 

ovate 

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

to lance-elliptic, parallel-veined, sheathing; cleistogamous flowers underground ..... COMMELINACEAE (Commelina)

1' Cleistogamous flowers formed above ground or water surface

7. Leaves sheathing, 

linear 

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

, parallel-veined; 

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.

of cleistogamous flowers enclosed within 

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).

 sheaths or borne in panicle-like clusters ..... POACEAE {G2,6,8,13}

7' Leaves not sheathing, 

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.

, not parallel-veined; 

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.

of cleistogamous flowers 0

8. 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.

, inflorescence or solitary flower 

scapose 

Pertaining to a plant or an inflorescence in which a relatively long peduncle (scape) arises, sometimes with leaf- or scale-like bracts but without true foliage leaves, from a rosette or other arrangement of leaves at ground level.

9. Plant aquatic; leaves on 

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.

or 

stolon 

A normally thin, elongate stem lying more or less flat on the ground and forming roots as well as erect stems or shoots (which become new, clonal plants) at generally widely spaced nodes; runner.

, often bearing small, hollow bladders that suck in and trap small organisms when hairs at opening are triggered; flowers 1–few ..... LENTIBULARIACEAE (Utricularia subulata)

9' Plant terrestrial; leaves in 

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.

 

rosette 

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

, not bearing traps; 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.

(flower 1) ..... PLANTAGINACEAE (Plantago) {G8,18,19}

8' Leaves all or mostly cauline

10. Ovary inferior

11. Inflorescence a closed 

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.

enclosed by spine-tipped 

involucre 

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

 bracts ..... ASTERACEAE (Centaurea melitensis)

11' 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 spike-like 

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.

or flowers 

sessile 

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

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

12. Ovary/fruit not narrowed distally; sepals 

ascending 

Curving or angling upward from base, or about 30–60 degrees less than vertical or away from axis of attachment.

or ± 

spreading 

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

..... CAMPANULACEAE (Githopsis, Heterocodon, Triodanis)

12' Ovary/fruit distally narrowed; sepals not separating ..... ONAGRACEAE (Epilobium, Neoholmgrenia)

10' Ovary superior

13. Leaves ± fleshy

14. Plant 50–230 cm; leaves 

entire 

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

or toothed ..... BALSAMINACEAE ([Impatiens capensis])

(2)

14' Plant 1–30 cm; leaves 

entire 

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

..... MONTIACEAE (Montia) {G2}

13' Leaves not fleshy

15. 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.

16. Leaves 2–7 mm, awl-shaped to 

oblong 

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

, bristle-tipped ..... CARYOPHYLLACEAE (Loeflingia)

16' Leaves 

linear 

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

, 

oblong 

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

, or 

lanceolate 

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

to 

ovate 

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

or round, not bristle-tipped

17. Stem square in ×-section; flowers in head-like 

axillary 

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

and terminal clusters — fruit 4 nutlets ..... LAMIACEAE (Lamium amplexicaule)

17' Stem round in ×-section; flowers 

axillary 

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

or in terminal 

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.

18. Leaves of a pair unequal; ovule 1; fruit 

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 base hardened or 5-winged or -ribbed around fruit ..... NYCTAGINACEAE (Acleisanthes, Mirabilis albida)

18' Leaves of a pair equal; ovules several–many; fruit capsule; perianth base not hardened or 5-winged around fruit

19. Fruit valves 3, ovary chambers 3 ..... CISTACEAE (Tuberaria)

19' Fruit valves 2, ovary chambers 1–2

20. Sepals strongly fused ..... PHRYMACEAE (Mimulus)

20' Sepals ± free ..... PLANTAGINACEAE (Bacopa) (2)

15' 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'.

21. Fruit 1–4 hard, shiny gray nutlets ..... BORAGINACEAE (Lithospermum incisum)

21' Fruit a capsule

22. Perennial herb

23. Leaves ± 

sessile 

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

; capsule flat ..... POLYGALACEAE (Polygala californica)

23' Leaves petioled; capsule ovoid to 

oblong 

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

..... VIOLACEAE (2) {G15,20,24}

22' Annual

24. Inflorescence or solitary flowers 

axillary 

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

; ovary chambers 5 ..... BALSAMINACEAE ([Impatiens capensis])

(2)

24' Inflorescence terminal (axillary); ovary chambers 2–3

25. Inflorescence 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.

..... PLANTAGINACEAE (Antirrhinum, Dopatrium, Nuttallanthus)

25' Inflorescence a 

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.

..... POLEMONIACEAE (Collomia grandiflora)