Jepson eFlora Family Key to Group 9

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

Group 9: Trees, shrubs, or woody vines; only pistillate flowers present; staminate or bisexual flowers unavailable for examination

1. Plant parasitic on stem of woody host plant ..... VISCACEAE {G6,7,8,11,12,14}

1' Plant free-living, rooted in ground

2. Trunk unbranched, generally stout, often covered with persistent woody 

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).

bases; leaves 4–7 m, pinnately compound ..... ARECACEAE (Phoenix) {G7,10}

2' Trunk(s) generally branched, slender to stout, generally not covered with persistent 

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).

bases; leaves generally much smaller, 

simple 

Composed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.

or compound

3. Leaves stiff and sword-like, 0.6–2 m, base much expanded, white, fleshy; inflorescence a large 

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.

..... RUSCACEAE (Nolina) {G6,7,8,16}

3' Leaves not sword-like, mostly smaller, base not much expanded, white, and fleshy; inflorescences various

4. 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).

5. Leaves compound

6. Leaves 

palmate 

More than two structures or parts (e.g., veins, lobes, or leaflets) radiating from a common point in two dimensions (i.e., in one plane).

; leaflets 3 ..... SAPINDACEAE (Acer glabrum) {G20}

6' Leaves 

pinnate 

Feather-like; pertaining to veins, lobes, leaflets, or other structures arranged in two dimensions (i.e., in one plane) along either side of an axis; a leaf is odd-pinnate if there is a terminal leaflet, even-pinnate if there is not, and either odd- or even-pinnate may be 1-pinnate (blade divided into primary leaflets), 2-pinnate (primary leaflets divided into secondary leaflets), 3-pinnate (secondary leaflets divided into tertiary leaflets), etc.

; leaflets often > 3

7. Woody vine; sepals generally 4, conspicuous, petal-like; pistils many; styles elongated and 

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.

in fruit ..... RANUNCULACEAE (Clematis) {G7}

7' Tree or large shrub; sepals generally 5 or number difficult to determine, very small; pistil 1; styles never 

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.

8. Stigmas short, on slender style; ovary not winged in flower; fruit a 1-winged 

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.

, not splitting ..... OLEACEAE (Fraxinus) {G7,12,16}

8' Stigmas 

linear 

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

, ± 

sessile 

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

; ovary with 2 short wings in flower; fruit generally splitting into winged mericarps ..... SAPINDACEAE (Acer negundo) {G7}

5' Leaves 

simple 

Composed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.

9. Margins of leaves toothed ..... PICRODENDRACEAE (3) {G7,12}

9' Margins of leaves 

entire 

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

10. Weak-stemmed shrub

11. Perianth parts in 3s, free; ovary superior, unlobed, smooth; NCo ..... ERICACEAE (Empetrum) (2) {G7,12,16}

11' Perianth parts in 4s, fused; ovary inferior, ± bilobed, smooth to covered with short bristles; widespread ..... RUBIACEAE (Galium) {G6,7,8,12}

10' Stouter shrub or tree

12. Stems and leaves covered with silvery scales ..... ELAEAGNACEAE (Shepherdia) {G7,12}

12' Stems and leaves glabrous or variously hairy

13. Petals fused proximally

14. Leaves glossy ..... RUBIACEAE ([Coprosma]) {G7}

14' Leaves densely hairy ..... SCROPHULARIACEAE (Buddleja) {G7,19}

13' Petals free or 0

15. Flowers in pendent 

catkins 

Spike or spike-like (e.g., Alnus) inflorescence of unisexual flowers with inconspicuous perianths (generally wind-pollinated), usually pendent and often with conspicuous bracts.

..... GARRYACEAE {G7,11}

15' Flowers not in 

catkins 

Spike or spike-like (e.g., Alnus) inflorescence of unisexual flowers with inconspicuous perianths (generally wind-pollinated), usually pendent and often with conspicuous bracts.

16. Stems green, jointed; leaves thin, dry, scarious, scale-like, often early-deciduous — structures appearing to be flowers actually ovulate cones of a gymnosperm ..... EPHEDRACEAE {G4,7}

16' Stems gray or brown or only young stems green, not jointed; leaves thin or thick, green, not dry and scarious, not scale-like, persistent or deciduous

17. Leaves thick, leathery, evergreen; flowers solitary; sepals well developed ..... SIMMONDSIACEAE {G7,12}

17' Leaves thin, deciduous; flowers in 

sessile 

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

, 

axillary 

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

clusters or short-peduncled racemes; sepals very small

18. Flowers subsessile, solitary or few in axils; styles 3–4; ovary 3–4-lobed; fruit a capsule ..... PICRODENDRACEAE (3) {G7,12}

18' Flowers pedicelled, in 

axillary 

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

clusters; style 1; ovary unlobed; fruit a drupe ..... OLEACEAE (Forestiera) {G7,12}

4' 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'.

(leaf often 

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.

a tendril or an inflorescence in Vitaceae)

19. Tendrils present; plant a vine; 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.

or 

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.

; fruit a berry

20. 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.

..... SMILACACEAE {G6,7,8,16}

20' 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.

..... VITACEAE (Vitis) {G7,12,23}

19' Tendrils 0; plant a shrub or tree, rarely a vine; inflorescence, fruit various

21. Flowers in 

catkins 

Spike or spike-like (e.g., Alnus) inflorescence of unisexual flowers with inconspicuous perianths (generally wind-pollinated), usually pendent and often with conspicuous bracts.

or catkin-like spikes

22. Leaves compound

23. Leaves 1–2-pinnate, leaflets 

entire 

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

; fruit a long, flat ± 

indehiscent 

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

 legume ..... FABACEAE (Gleditsia) {G7}

23' Leaves 1-pinnate, leaflets 

serrate 

Having margins with sharp, fine to coarse teeth generally pointing tipward, not outward; margins with such teeth on such primary teeth are doubly serrate.

; fruit a small 2-winged nut ..... JUGLANDACEAE ([Pterocarya])

22' Leaves 

simple 

Composed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.

24. Shrubs of ± saline desert habitats; leaves ± thick and fleshy or very narrow and densely hairy; spikes 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

or very short and 

axillary 

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

..... CHENOPODIACEAE (3) {G6,7,8,11,15}

24' Shrubs or trees, generally of moister habitats; leaves thin and wide; spikes or 

catkins 

Spike or spike-like (e.g., Alnus) inflorescence of unisexual flowers with inconspicuous perianths (generally wind-pollinated), usually pendent and often with conspicuous bracts.

 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

or pendent

25. Stipules 0

26. Leaves 

sessile 

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

; blades ± gray, 

entire 

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

, not resin-dotted; flowers enclosed by a pair of bractlets; 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 

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.

, enclosed between and falling together with papery or hardened bractlets ..... CHENOPODIACEAE (3) {G6,7,8,11,15}

26' Leaves petioled; blades green, 

crenate 

Pertaining to margins with shallow, rounded teeth, between which are usually acute sinuses (i.e., scalloped)

or 

serrate 

Having margins with sharp, fine to coarse teeth generally pointing tipward, not outward; margins with such teeth on such primary teeth are doubly serrate.

, resin-dotted; flowers subtended by 2–4 bractlets; fruit a 

papillate 

Pertaining to a surface (e.g., of a leaf, stigma, fruit) bearing small, rounded or conic protuberances (papillae).

, wax-coated drupe, free of subtending bractlets, or 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.

enclosed by and falling together with a pair of spongy bractlets ..... MYRICACEAE {G7,11}

25' Stipules present, evident at least on new growth, sometimes deciduous but leaving evident 

scars 

Mark left by the natural separation of two structures, as a leaf scar on a stem.

27. Styles or stigmas repeatedly branched into >> 4 fine, thread-like divisions; ovary 3-lobed, maturing as a capsule; stems brittle; shrub ..... EUPHORBIACEAE (Acalypha) {G7,11}

27' Styles, style branches, or stigmas 2–4, generally not further divided; ovary generally unlobed, the fruits various, including 

capsules 

Dry fruit from compound pistil, nearly always dehiscent (irregularly or by pores, slits, or lines of separation).

; stems mostly not brittle; shrub or tree

28. Catkins very dense at time of flower; only stigmas 

exserted 

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

beyond tips of tightly 

appressed 

Parallel or nearly parallel to and often in contact with surface of origin; used to describe the disposition of hairs, leaves, pedicels, etc.

 bractlets; at maturity either 

catkin 

Spike or spike-like (e.g., Alnus) inflorescence of unisexual flowers with inconspicuous perianths (generally wind-pollinated), usually pendent and often with conspicuous bracts.

± cone-like with ovaries ripening as winged achenes or bractlets expanding into 1 or more tubular involucres, each surrounding a nut ..... BETULACEAE {G11}

28' Catkins looser at time of flower; bractlets, if present, not tightly 

appressed 

Parallel or nearly parallel to and often in contact with surface of origin; used to describe the disposition of hairs, leaves, pedicels, etc.

, the ovaries or calyces generally visible on close inspection; at maturity either 

catkin 

Spike or spike-like (e.g., Alnus) inflorescence of unisexual flowers with inconspicuous perianths (generally wind-pollinated), usually pendent and often with conspicuous bracts.

becoming a ± open cluster of 

capsules 

Dry fruit from compound pistil, nearly always dehiscent (irregularly or by pores, slits, or lines of separation).

or a fleshy multiple fruit

29. Ovary tightly enwrapped by 4 

appressed 

Parallel or nearly parallel to and often in contact with surface of origin; used to describe the disposition of hairs, leaves, pedicels, etc.

 sepals; 

catkin 

Spike or spike-like (e.g., Alnus) inflorescence of unisexual flowers with inconspicuous perianths (generally wind-pollinated), usually pendent and often with conspicuous bracts.

 bractlets 0; sepals fleshy at maturity, together with ovaries maturing as a multiple fruit ..... MORACEAE (Morus)

29' Ovary not enclosed by sepals, calyx 0 or represented by an 

entire 

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

or slightly lobed rim; flowers subtended by bractlets, these sometimes deciduous; ovary ripening as a capsule containing several–many hair-tufted seeds ..... SALICACEAE {G7,11}

21' Flowers not in 

catkins 

Spike or spike-like (e.g., Alnus) inflorescence of unisexual flowers with inconspicuous perianths (generally wind-pollinated), usually pendent and often with conspicuous bracts.

or spikes — ovules never produced in cone-like catkins

30. Leaves and stems generally with many straight, weak, slender prickles ..... ROSACEAE (Rubus ursinus) {G7}

30' Leaves and stems without many straight, weak prickles (rarely with stout prickles), sometimes stems thorny or leaves spiny-margined

31. Leaves palmately lobed

32. Inflorescence an 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

 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.

; shrubs; bark not flaking in large plates; leaves 

peltate 

With the stalk attached toward the middle, not at a margin, of a flat structure such as an indusium, scale, or leaf.

, glabrous ..... EUPHORBIACEAE (Ricinus) {G7,12}

32' Inflorescence 

axillary 

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

, generally drooping, of 1–7 spheric heads along an axis; trees; bark flaking from trunks in large plates; leaves 

obtuse 

Having a short-tapered, blunt tip or base, the sides convex or straight and converging at more than a right angle.

to 

cordate 

Heart-shaped; often pertaining to a leaf in which the blade base on both sides of the petiole is rounded and convex.

at base, densely 

tomentose 

Covered with densely interwoven, generally matted hairs.

when young ..... PLATANACEAE {G7,10,12}

31' Leaves not palmately lobed

33. Stems and leaves stellate-hairy

34. Ovary clearly superior, 2–4-lobed; fruit a capsule; 

involucre 

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

0; (sub)shrub with 

entire 

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

 leaves or desert shrub with 

crenate 

Pertaining to margins with shallow, rounded teeth, between which are usually acute sinuses (i.e., scalloped)

leaves ..... EUPHORBIACEAE {G7,15}

34' Ovary inferior but sepals very small and often concealed by bractlets of 

involucre 

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

; fruit either an ovoid nut, subtended by a cup-like involucre, or a triangular nut, surrounded in groups of 1–3 by a bur-like involucre; shrub or tree with leaves 

entire 

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

, toothed, or pinnately lobed but not 

crenate 

Pertaining to margins with shallow, rounded teeth, between which are usually acute sinuses (i.e., scalloped)

..... FAGACEAE {G7,11}

33' Stems and leaves glabrous or hairy but not 

stellate 

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

35. Leaves compound

36. Petals 0; ovary inferior — fruit a nut with a ± 

dehiscent 

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

husk ..... JUGLANDACEAE {G7,11}

36' Petals present; ovary or ovaries superior

37. Leaflets with a few gland-tipped teeth near base; ovaries 5–6, joined only at style; fruit a cluster of winged achenes ..... SIMAROUBACEAE (Ailanthus) {G7,10,20}

37' Leaflets 

entire 

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

or teeth not gland-tipped; ovary 1; fruit of 1 drupe, capsule, or winged 

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.

38. Leaves strongly aromatic, dotted with minute, translucent glands; fruit a winged 

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.

..... RUTACEAE (Ptelea) {G20}

38' Leaves aromatic or not, not dotted with translucent glands; fruit a drupe or capsule

39. Leaflets 3–20, lance-linear to 

ovate 

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

, 10–130 mm; fruit a drupe ..... ANACARDIACEAE (2) {G7,20,23}

39' Leaflets 7–33, linear-oblong or narrowly 

elliptic 

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

, 2–10 mm; fruit drupe-like when young, capsule-like in age ..... BURSERACEAE {G7,20}

35' Leaves 

simple 

Composed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.

40. Corolla 0; perianth parts 0 or in 1 series

41. 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.

; styles long, 

spreading 

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

; fruits and knobby-tipped, fleshy sepals ripening as a large multiple fruit ..... MORACEAE (Maclura) {G7}

41' Inflorescence not a 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.

; styles not long, 

spreading 

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

; fruits and sepals not forming multiple fruit

42. Flowers subtended or surrounded at base by an 

involucre 

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

of tiny scale-like bractlets; fruit an ovoid nut, subtended by a cup-like involucre; ovary inferior ..... FAGACEAE (Quercus)

42' Flowers without an 

involucre 

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

; 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.

, 

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.

, capsule, or drupe; ovary inferior or superior

43. Calyx 0; flowers or fruits each enclosed by a pair of tightly 

appressed 

Parallel or nearly parallel to and often in contact with surface of origin; used to describe the disposition of hairs, leaves, pedicels, etc.

 bracts ..... CHENOPODIACEAE (3) {G6,7,8,11,15}

43' Calyx present; flowers or fruits not enclosed by a pair of tightly 

appressed 

Parallel or nearly parallel to and often in contact with surface of origin; used to describe the disposition of hairs, leaves, pedicels, etc.

 bracts

44. Leaves strongly aromatic ..... LAURACEAE ([Laurus]) {G7}

44' Leaves not aromatic

45. Leaves fleshy, 

linear 

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

, ± 

cylindric 

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

; calyx fused to ovary, winged in fruit ..... SARCOBATACEAE {G7,11}

45' Leaves not fleshy, 

linear 

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

to round, flat; calyx free from ovary, not winged in fruit

46. Sepals free; fruit a capsule ..... PICRODENDRACEAE (3) {G7,12}

46' Sepals fused; fruit a drupe ..... RHAMNACEAE (Rhamnus) (2) {G7}

40' Corolla present; perianth parts in 2 series

47. Shrub with thorny green stems; leaves early deciduous, scale-like to narrowly 

oblong 

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

..... SIMAROUBACEAE (Castela) {G7,10,23}

47' Tree, shrub, or woody vine, generally not thorny; leaves generally present, sometimes deciduous in winter or dry season

48. Flower parts in 3s ..... ERICACEAE (Empetrum) (2) {G7,12,16}

48' Flower parts generally in 4s or 5s

49. Flowers in involucred heads, these generally in open to dense clusters; ovary 1 per flower, inferior; calyx modified as a white to ± brown pappus ..... ASTERACEAE {G6,7,8,12,14,17}

49' Flowers not in heads; ovaries 1–5, superior; calyx green, not modified

50. Hypanthium present

51. Ovary 1; petals <= 1 mm, ± yellow; inflorescence an 

axillary 

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

 

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.

..... RHAMNACEAE (Rhamnus) (2) {G7}

51' Ovaries generally 5; petals 3–6 mm, white; 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.

..... ROSACEAE (Oemleria) {G7}

50' Hypanthium 0

52. Flower parts in 4s

53. Petals ± free; staminodes 0; style 1 ..... AQUIFOLIACEAE {G7,23}

53' Petals strongly fused; staminodes generally 8; styles 4 ..... EBENACEAE {G7,19}

52' Flower parts generally in 5s

54. Petals 1–5 mm; fruit a drupe ..... ANACARDIACEAE (2) {G7,20,23}

54' Petals 10–15 mm; fruit a capsule — seeds sticky ..... PITTOSPORACEAE {G23}