Key to Montiaceae

View taxon page for Montiaceae

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

1. Fruit 

circumscissile 

Dehiscence, usually of a fruit (capsule), by a transverse line, the top coming off as a lid.

, dehiscing near middle or below ..... LEWISIA

1' Fruit 2–3-valved, dehiscing longitudinally from top

2. Stigmas 2–3; fruit 2–3-valved, cap-like

3. Petals 2–4; stamens 1–3, anthers pink, rose, or yellow ..... CALYPTRIDIUM

3' Petals 5; stamens 5–10, anthers yellow ..... CISTANTHE

2' Stigmas 3; fruit 3-valved, not cap-like

4. Cauline 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'.

5. Inflorescence not 1-sided; petals red; ovules many; seeds 6–many ..... CALANDRINIA

5' Inflorescence generally 1-sided; petals white to pink; ovules 3; seeds 1–3 ..... MONTIA (2)

4' Cauline 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.

6. Cauline leaves generally 2, free, ± fused on 1 side, or fused into ± disk; ovules, seeds 3–6 ..... CLAYTONIA

6' Cauline leaves > 2, free; ovules 3, seeds 1–3 ..... MONTIA (2)

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