Key to Boechera

View taxon page for Boechera

(For a list of species in Boechera, use the above link.)

Jepson Manual glossary definitions can be seen by moving your cursor over words underlined with dots.

1. Fruit, generally ovary hairy

2. Fruit 

pedicel 

Stalk of an individual flower in an inflorescence, or the corresponding structure in fruit.

< 2.5 mm; petals ± yellow to brick-red ..... B. yorkii

2' Fruit pedicel > 2.5 mm; petals purple, lavender, or white

3. Fruit pedicel base generally abruptly 

recurved 

Gradually curved downward or backward.

; fruit generally 

appressed 

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

to inflorescence axis

4. Stems elevated above ground surface on woody base; petals 9–16 mm; fruit 2.5–4 mm wide; seeds 1.7–2.8 mm ..... B. pulchra

4' Stems from ± ground surface, from non-woody 

caudex 

Generally short, sometimes woody, more or less vertical stem of a perennial, at or beneath ground level.

; petals 4–8 mm; fruit 0.9–1.8 mm wide; seeds 1–1.4 mm ..... B. retrofracta (3)

3' Fruit pedicel base not abruptly recurved; fruit generally not appressed to inflorescence axis

5. Proximal stems with 

simple 

Composed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.

and 2-rayed hairs only

6. Fruit pedicel with branched hairs only ..... B. arcuata (2)

6' Fruit pedicel with generally simple hairs ..... B. breweri subsp. breweri (2)

5' Proximal stems with at least some 3–12-rayed hairs

7. Petals generally < 9 mm

8. Stem proximally with 7–12-rayed hairs; seeds 1–1.3 mm, generally in 2 rows ..... B. shockleyi (2)

8' Stem proximally with generally 3–7-rayed hairs; seeds 1.4–6 mm, in 1 row

9. Basal leaves > 6 mm wide; fruit 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

to 

ascending 

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

; seeds 2.5–6 mm, 

wing 

1. Thin, flat extension or appendage of a surface or margin. 2. In many members of Fabaceae and in some other groups, each of two lateral petals.

0.7–1.8 mm wide ..... B. repanda (2)

9' Basal leaves < 6 mm wide; fruit horizontal to pendent (appressed); seeds 1.4–2.5 mm, wing 0.05–0.3 mm wide

10. Style < 0.2 mm; 

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.

leaves generally 

dentate 

Having margins with sharp, relatively coarse teeth pointing outward, not tipward.

; fruit 1.9–2.2 mm wide; seeds 1.4–1.8 mm ..... B. puberula

10' Style 1.5–2 mm; basal leaves 

entire 

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

; fruit 2.5–3 mm wide; seeds 2–2.5 mm ..... B. serpenticola (2)

7' Petals generally > 9 mm

11. At least some basal leaves prominently dentate to ± pinnately lobed; style 0.5–1 mm; ovules < 60 ..... B. subpinnatifida

11' Basal leaves generally entire; style generally < 0.5 mm; ovules > 60

12. Basal leaves 1–2 mm wide; inflorescence 7–15-flowered; fruit pedicel generally ascending near base, recurved near tip ..... B. lincolnensis

12' Basal leaves 3–13 mm wide; inflorescence > 15-flowered; fruit pedicel descending or horizontal near base

13. Fruit generally > 7 cm, sparsely hairy throughout; seeds 1.7–2 mm, generally in 1 row ..... B. californica (2)

13' Fruit generally < 7 cm, hairy on distal 2/3, glabrous near base; seeds 2–2.5 mm, generally irregularly in 2 rows ..... B. xylopoda

1' Fruit, ovary glabrous

14. Cauline 

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).

base not lobed

15. Style > 2.2 mm

16. Petals ± white, 6–8 mm; fruit pendent, 4–7.5 cm ..... B. constancei

16' Petals lavender to purple, 8–13 mm; fruit ascending, 1.5–2.5 cm ..... B. parishii

15' Style < 2.2 mm

17. Basal leaves glabrous or hairs simple only

18. Leaf margins with minute simple hairs; petals 4–5 mm ..... B. shevockii

18' Leaves glabrous; petals 6–10 mm

19. Caudex with crowded, persistent leaf bases; fruit ascending, not appressed to inflorescence axis; seeds in 1 row ..... B. davidsonii

19' Caudex without crowded, persistent leaf bases; fruit erect, appressed to inflorescence axis; seeds generally in 2 rows ..... B. lyallii (3)

17' Basal leaves with at least some branched hairs

20. Plant generally glabrous throughout except margins of basal leaves

21. Fruit generally > 3 mm wide; seeds 3–6 mm

22. Margins of basal leaves with some 3–4-rayed hairs; ovules 18–30; pollen spheric ..... B. covillei (3)

22' Margins of basal leaves with simple and 2-rayed hairs; ovules 10–20; pollen ellipsoid ..... B. howellii (2)

21' Fruit generally < 3 mm wide; seeds 1.5–2.2 mm

23. Petals 6–8.5 mm; fruit pedicel erect; seeds generally in 2 rows ..... B. lyallii (3)

23' Petals 4–5 mm; fruit pedicel ascending; seeds in 1 row ..... B. tiehmii (2)

20' Plant at least hairy on surfaces of basal leaves, generally throughout pl

24. Fruit pendent or descending

25. Fruit 5–8 mm wide; seeds 5–6 mm ..... B. glaucovalvula

25' Fruit < 3 mm wide; seeds < 2 mm

26. Fruit pedicel base generally abruptly recurved; fruit 

reflexed 

Abruptly bent or curved downward or backward.

, generally appressed to inflorescence axis; cauline leaves 15–40; inflorescence generally > 15-flowered ..... B. retrofracta (3)

26' Fruit pedicel base not abruptly recurved; fruit wide-pendent, not appressed to inflorescence axis; cauline leaves 2–17; inflorescence < 15-flowered

27. Surfaces of basal leaves with simple and 2-rayed hairs ..... B. pendulina (2)

27' Surfaces of basal leaves with 4–8-rayed hairs ..... B. pendulocarpa

24' Fruit erect, ascending, or horizontal

28. Inflorescence 1-sided in fruit ..... B. lemmonii (3)

28' Inflorescence not 1-sided in fruit

29. Basal leaves generally wavy-margined to dentate, generally > 10 mm wide ..... B. repanda (2)

29' Basal leaves entire, generally < 10 mm wide

30. Proximal stems with simple and branched hairs

31. Petals lavender to purple; fruit 1.3–2 mm wide; ovules 24–40 ..... B. paupercula (2)

31' Petals white; fruit 4–5 mm wide; ovules 8–12 ..... B. pygmaea

30' Proximal stems with branched hairs only

32. Surfaces of basal leaves with at least some 8–14-rayed hairs

33. Petals 5–6 mm; style < 0.5 mm ..... B. dispar

33' Petals 9–14 mm; style 0.7–2 mm ..... B. johnstonii

32' Surfaces of basal leaves with 2–7-rayed hairs only

34. Fruit 3–5.5 mm wide; seeds 3–8 mm, wing 0.8–2.5 mm wide

35. Basal leaves with short-stalked hairs generally 0.1–0.25 mm; fruit edges wavy, constricted between seeds ..... B. platysperma

35' Basal leaves with long-stalked hairs generally 0.25–0.5 mm; fruit edge not wavy or constricted between seeds ..... B. ultraalsa

34' Fruit 2–3.2 mm wide; seeds 2.5–3.5 mm, wing 0.2–0.9 mm wide

36. Sepals glabrous; basal leaves 2–6 mm wide, with generally 

sessile 

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

hairs; fruit erect-ascending, generally appressed to inflorescence axis ..... B. elkoensis (2)

36' Sepals sparsely hairy; basal leaves 1–3 mm wide, with stalked hairs; fruit ascending, not appressed to inflorescence axis ..... B. pinzliae (2)

14' Cauline leaf base lobed

37. Stems glabrous proximally

38. Fruit erect, generally appressed to inflorescence axis

39. Basal leaves with sessile 2-rayed mixed with 3- or 4-rayed hairs ..... B. calderi

39' Basal leaves with either sessile 2-rayed or short-stalked 2–6-rayed hairs, or occasionally glabrous

40. Petals white, occasionally pale lavender in age; cauline leaves 6–52; surfaces or margins of basal leaves with sessile 2 rayed hairs, occasionally glabrous ..... B. stricta (2)

40' Petals lavender to purple; cauline leaves 1–7; surfaces of basal leaves glabrous, margins with simple and short-stalked, branched hairs, occasionally glabrous

41. Ovules generally < 30; seed in 1 row, > 3 mm, wing 1–1.5 mm wide ..... B. covillei (3)

41' Ovules generally > 30; seed generally in 2 rows, < 3 mm, wing 0.3–0.5 mm wide ..... B. lyallii (3)

38' Fruit reflexed, pendent, horizontal, or ascending (± erect), generally not appressed to inflorescence axis except generally when reflexed

42. Fruit pendent to strongly reflexed

43. Stems arising at ground level, generally lacking woody bases; surfaces of basal leaves with some simple hairs; inflorescence generally > 12-flowered ..... B. rectissima (2)

43' Stems elevated above ground level on woody base; surfaces of basal leaves lacking simple hairs, generally glabrous; inflorescence generally < 12-flowered

44. Petals 8–11 mm, ± white; fruit 2.5–3.5 mm wide; inflorescence 3–7-flowered ..... B. rollei

44' Petals 4.5–6 mm, ± purple or rose at least near tip; fruit 3–6 mm wide; inflorescence 6–12-flowered ..... B. suffrutescens (3)

42' Fruit ascending to horizontal or ± descending (± erect)

45. Cauline leaves > 14; seeds in 2 rows; fruit 6–10 cm; ChI ..... B. hoffmannii (2)

45' Cauline leaves < 14; seeds in 1 row; fruit generally < 6 cm; montane habitats on mainland

46. Fruit > 2.9 mm wide; seeds 3–6 mm

47. Margins of basal leaves with some 3–4-rayed hairs; ovules 18–30; pollen spheric ..... B. covillei (3)

47' Margins of basal leaves with simple and 2-rayed hairs; ovules 10–20; pollen ellipsoid ..... B. howellii (2)

46' Fruit < 2.9 mm wide; seeds 1–2.2 mm

48. Inflorescence 1-sided in fruit ..... B. lemmonii (3)

48' Inflorescence not 1-sided in fruit

49. Surfaces, margins of basal leaves with 4–7-rayed hairs; ovules 56–80; pollen spheric ..... B. peirsonii (2)

49' Surfaces of basal leaves glabrous, margins with simple and 2–3-rayed hairs; ovules 14–22; pollen ellipsoid ..... B. tiehmii (2)

37' Stems hairy proximally

50. Fruit descending, pendent, or strongly reflexed

51. Fruit pedicel base generally abruptly recurved

52. Fruit > 2.7 mm wide; ovules 20–30; inflorescence 6–12-flowered ..... B. suffrutescens (3)

52' Fruit < 2.7 mm wide; ovules 46–126; inflorescence generally > 12-flowered

53. Stem proximally with branched hairs only ..... B. retrofracta (3)

53' Stem proximally with simple and branched hairs, or simple hairs only

54. Stem proximally with simple and branched hairs; petals 4–6 mm ..... B. pinetorum (3)

54' Stem proximally with simple hairs only; petals 3–4 mm ..... B. rectissima (2)

51' Fruit pedicel base ± recurved or straight

55. Fruit pedicel hairy

56. Stem proximally with simple and branched hairs, or simple hairs only

57. Petals generally > 8 mm, purple to magenta; stems elevated above ground level on woody caudex with crowded, persistent leaf bases; pollen ellipsoid ..... B. koehleri (3)

57' Petals generally < 8 mm, lavender to white; stems from ± ground level, generally lacking woody caudex and crowded, persistent leaf bases; pollen spheric

58. Fruit spreading-descending; fruit pedicel with many 2–3-rayed hairs ..... B. pauciflora (2)

58' Fruit reflexed to ± appressed; fruit pedicel with few simple and 2-rayed hairs only, occasionally glabrous ..... B. pinetorum (3)

56' Stem proximally with branched hairs only

59. Petals generally > 9 mm; fruit generally > 6 cm ..... B. californica (2)

59' Petals generally < 9 mm; fruit generally < 6 cm

60. Surfaces of basal leaves with hairs 0.1–0.2 mm; seed wing 0.25–0.5 mm wide; ovules 34–64; pollen ellipsoid ..... B. cobrensis (2)

60' Surfaces of basal leaves with hairs 0.2–0.7 mm; seed wing < 0.25 mm wide; ovules 74–134; pollen spheric ..... B. inyoensis (2)

55' Fruit pedicel glabrous (sparsely hairy)

61. Petals generally > 8 mm, purple to magenta; caudex woody, leaf bases crowded, persistent ..... B. koehleri (3)

61' Petals generally < 8 mm, white to lavender (rose-purple); caudex woody or not, crowded-persistent leaf bases 0

62. Fruit > 2.7 mm wide; seed wing > 0.7 mm wide; stems elevated above ground surface on woody caudex ..... B. suffrutescens (3)

62' Fruit < 2.7 mm wide; seed wing < 0.7 mm wide; stems generally not elevated above ground surface on woody caudex

63. Fruit reflexed to ± appressed; pollen spheric; KR, CaR, SN

64. Stem proximally with stalked, 2–5-rayed hairs; seeds 1.5–1.8 mm ..... B. pinetorum (3)

64' Stem proximally with ± sessile, 2-rayed hairs; seeds 2–2.5 mm ..... B. tularensis

63' Fruit wide-pendent to spreading-descending, not appressed; pollen ellipsoid; SW, GB, D

65. Stem proximally generally simple-hairy; seeds in 2 rows ..... B. pendulina (2)

65' Stem proximally generally branched-hairy; seeds in 1 row

66. Basal leaves dentate; stem proximally with 2–5-rayed hairs ..... B. perennans

66' Basal leaves entire; stem proximally with 4–10-rayed hairs ..... B. cobrensis (2)

50' Fruit erect, ascending, or horizontal (pendent)

67. Leaf hairs ± sessile, branches generally appressed; sepals generally glabrous

68. Basal leaves with branched hairs 2-rayed only; petals white, occasionally pale lavender in age; pollen ellipsoid ..... B. stricta (2)

68' Basal leaves with some 3–4-rayed hairs; petals purple to lavender (± white); pollen spheric

69. Fruit erect to ascending, generally appressed to inflorescence axis

70. Cauline leaves 3–6; seeds 2.5–3.5 mm ..... B. elkoensis (2)

70' Cauline leaves > 6; seeds 1.4–2 mm ..... B. pratincola

69' Fruit spreading-ascending to horizontal, not appressed to axis

71. Cauline leaves generally > 10; fruit 1.7–2.5 mm wide; seeds 1.4–2 mm ..... B. divaricarpa

71' Cauline leaves generally < 10; fruit 2.5–3.5 mm wide; seeds 2.5–3.2 mm ..... B. rigidissima

67' Leaf hairs stalked, branches not appressed; sepals generally hairy

72. Stem proximally with some simple hairs

73. Fruit erect, appressed to inflorescence axis; ovules 24–40 ..... B. paupercula (2)

73' Fruit ascending to horizontal, not appressed to inflorescence axis; ovules > 40

74. Fruit pedicel hairs 2–4-rayed only

75. Fruit 1.2–1.5 mm wide, ovules 46–52; leaf surface hairs < 0.3 mm ..... B. evadens

75' Fruit 1.5–2.2 mm wide, ovules 80–250; leaf surface hairs >= 0.3 mm

76. Petals 9–14 mm, purple; fruit pedicel generally > 10 mm; pollen ellipsoid ..... B. arcuata (2)

76' Petals 5–8 mm, lavender to ± white; fruit pedicel generally < 10 mm; pollen spheric ..... B. pauciflora (2)

74' Fruit pedicel glabrous or with simple, occasionally some 2-rayed hairs

77. Basal leaves generally <= 3 mm wide; caudex woody, with crowded, persistent leaf bases ..... B. koehleri (3)

77' Basal leaves generally > 3 mm wide; caudex woody or not, crowded-persistent leaf bases 0

78. Distal cauline leaves glabrous, occasionally 

ciliate 

Having generally straight, conspicuous hairs along margins or edges.

; cauline leaf basal 

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.

generally > 3 mm; NW, CaR, SNE ..... B. sparsiflora

78' Distal cauline leaves hairy; cauline leaf basal lobes generally < 3 mm; widespread

79. Stem proximally with some 3 rayed, 0.1–0.5 mm hairs ..... B. rubicundula

79' Stem proximally with simple and 2-rayed hairs only (all simple), 0.4–1 mm ..... B. breweri

80. Stem 0.6–2 dm; fruit pedicel generally < 9 mm, hairy ..... subsp. breweri (2)

80' Stem 1.8–4.5 dm; fruit pedicel generally > 9 mm, glabrous or hairs few, scattered ..... subsp. shastaensis

72' Stem proximally with branched hairs only

81. Inflorescence 1-sided in fruit ..... B. lemmonii (3)

81' Inflorescence not 1-sided in fruit

82. Stem proximally with at least some 2–3-rayed hairs

83. Petals 8–10 mm; inflorescence 30–70-flowered; pollen ellipsoid; ChI ..... B. hoffmannii (2)

83' Petals 4–7 mm; inflorescence 5–25-flowered; pollen spheric; mainland montane areas

84. Petals white or lavender; fruit < 1.9 mm wide; KR ..... B. acutina

84' Petals purple; fruit > 1.9 mm wide; SnBr, W&I

85. Inflorescence 12–25-flowered; stem proximally with hairs 0.4–0.6 mm only; seeds 1–1.5 mm; SnBr ..... B. peirsonii (2)

85' Inflorescence 5–8-flowered; stem proximally with hairs 0.05–0.2 mm only; seeds 2.5–3.5 mm; W&I ..... B. pinzliae (2)

82' Stem proximally with 4–12-rayed hairs only

86. Petals 3–5 mm

87. Stems > 1.5 dm; fruit 4–6.2 cm; ovules 48–68 ..... B. bodiensis

87' Stems generally < 1.5 dm; fruit 1.7–4.5 cm; ovules 32–44 ..... B. depauperata

86' Petals 5–9 mm

88. Style 1.5–2 mm; ovules 20–24 ..... B. serpenticola (2)

88' Style < 0.7 mm; ovules 74–190

89. Petals 1.2–2 mm wide; surfaces of basal leaves with hairs 0.2–0.7 mm; seeds 1.7–2 mm; pollen spheric ..... B. inyoensis (2)

89' Petals 0.8–1.2 mm wide; surfaces of basal leaves with hairs 0.1–0.2 mm; seeds 1–1.3 mm; pollen ellipsoid ..... B. shockleyi (2)

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