| | 1. Fruit ± linear; stalk-like base 2–8 mm, slender (sect. Stipogaura) |
| G. sinuata |
| | 1' Fruit fusiform to ovoid; stalk-like base 0–3 mm, thick if present |
| |
| | 2. Sepals 2–3.5 mm, barely opening; annual; stalk-like base 0 (sect. Schizocarya) |
| G. parviflora |
| | 2' Sepals 5–14 mm, widely opening; perennial herb; stalk-like base short, thick |
| |
| | 3. Fruit base > 1/2 diam of widest part, fruit becoming wider ± gradually; caudex woody, branched below ground (sect. Campogaura) |
| G. coccinea |
| | 3' Fruit base ± 1/4 diam of widest part, fruit with a conspicuous, abrupt bulge near middle; rhizomed (sect. Xenogaura) |
| G. drummondii
|