The Plants of Michigan
by Henry A. Gleason · English · Gutenberg #32050 · 500,634 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: The Plants of Michigan
Author: Henry A. Gleason
Release date: April 19, 2010 [eBook #32050]
Most recently updated: January 6, 2021
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PLANTS OF MICHIGAN ***
Produced by Betsie Bush, Dave Morgan, Joseph R. Hauser and
the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
https://www.pgdp.net
THE PLANTS OF MICHIGAN
SIMPLE KEYS FOR THE
IDENTIFICATION OF THE NATIVE SEED PLANTS
OF THE STATE
By HENRY ALLAN GLEASON, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of Botany and Director of the Botanical Gardens
and Arboretum in the University of Michigan
1918
COPYRIGHT, 1918
GEORGE WAHR
PUBLISHED BY
GEORGE WAHR
ANN ARBOR
PRINTED BY
THE ANN ARBOR PRESS
PREFACE
This book is not intended for the expert botanist. He should consult one
of the regular Manuals which give full descriptions of each species of
plant.
Neither is it intended for the merely curious. Only those who have
sufficient interest in a plant to observe it can find its name by this
book.
Furthermore, it is not a textbook. It does not attempt to convey
botanical information, but offers merely an opportunity to learn the
names of plants.
Its mission is fully accomplished if, through its use, students,
vacationists, and plant-lovers in general are able to recognize by name
the plants about them.
HOW TO USE THE BOOK
One recognizes a plant by the presence of structural features peculiar
to itself, and not found on any other kind of plant. In such a book as
this, these characters are given one or a few at a time, and contrasted
with the characters which other sorts of plants possess. Such a
presentation is called a Key, and by its proper use the name may be
learned of any plant considered in it. This process is called
Identification.
Keys are constructed in several different ways, although the principle
of all is the same. In this book, the user will begin with lines 1a and
1b on the page headed Key to the Groups. Each of these lines includes
some descriptive matter, but only one of them can apply to the plant
being identified. For example, if the plant to be identified is an Oak,
line 1a will apply perfectly, and the same line will also apply to any
other kind of tree or to any shrub. But if the plant is a Violet, a
Buttercup, or any other herb, line 1b agrees and line 1a will not apply.
At the end of each line is a reference to be consulted next. If the
plant is a tree or shrub, one turns accordingly to Group 1, on page ix,
and begins again at the first number given. If the plant is an herb, he
follows the reference to line 2, just below, and again compares the
plants with lines 2a and 2b.
Under every number at least two lines of description are given,
designated a and b, and under a few numbers additional lines appear,
designated c, d, etc. In every case, the user of the key will select
from the different lines under the same number that particular line
which agrees with the structure of the plant, and follow up the
reference given at the end of that line. Eventually one finds at the end
of a line, instead of a number, the name of a family of plants, to which
this particular plant belongs, and then turns over to the page where
this family is treated. Under each family is a similar key, to be
followed in exactly the same way, until finally one finds instead of a
number the common name and the scientific name of the plant in hand. The
process of identification is now completed, and the student has found
the name of the plant.
In some cases, a reference is made in the key to a particular portion of
the family key. One then turns directly to this particular number in the
family key, and continues his identification in the usual way.
As a definite example of the use of the key, suppose that one has in
hand a branch of the White Oak, and that he does not know its name. To
determine its name, he will trace it through the following steps in the
key. Under the Key to the Groups, it agrees with line 1a, which refers
to Group 1, Woody Plants. Under this group it agrees in structure with
line 1a, which refers to 2; with line 2b, referring to 21; with line
21b, referring to 22; with 22b, referring to 29; with 29b, referring to
32; with 32c, referring to 47; with 47b, referring to 48; with 48b,
referring to 51; with 51b, referring to number 1b in the Beech Family.
Turning to the proper number in this family, the plant is referred to
line 3; it agrees with line 3c, referring to 10; with 10a, referring to
11; and with 11b, which gives the name of the plant. White Oak, _Quercus
alba_.
As a second example, suppose one has a common yellow-flowered plant
blooming on lawns and roadsides in spring. Under the Key to the Groups,
it agrees with 1b, referring to 2; with 2b, referring to 3; and its
net-veined leaves place it in 3b, referring to Group 4, Dicotyledones.
Under this group, its basal leaves place it in 1b, referring to 2; its
simple leaves in 2b, referring to 18; the absence of stem-leaves places
it in 18b, referring to 23; its solitary flowers on each flower-stalk
place it in 23b, referring to 24; its yellow flowers agree with 24a,
referring to 25; and its milky juice refers the plant to number 16, in
the Composite Family. In the key to this family, its lobed leaves agree
with 16b, referring on to 17; its large flowers with 17b, giving one the
common name Dandelion, and referring on to 18 to determine which kind of
Dandelion the plant may be.
At some point in the key there will be found for each plant a statement
in parentheses. This is general information concerning the height of the
plant, the color of the flowers, or the season of bloom. It must be
remembered that the height of plants is subject to great variation; that
most plants have white-flowered varieties; and that the month of bloom
depends largely on the latitude and the climate. Therefore this general
information should not be used as means of distinguishing species.
=The names of plants.= Each plant bears a scientific name. This is
composed of two parts and is usually of Latin or Greek derivation. In
some cases these names are taken directly from the Latin language, as
_Quercus_, the Oak, or _Acer_, the Maple. In other cases the name may
indicate some characteristic feature of the plant, as _Polygonum_, many
joints, for the Knotweed, or _Ammophila_, sand-loving, for the Beach
Grass.
An English name is also given for almost every kind of plant. In a few
cases there is no accepted English name, and none has been given. In
many cases the same English name applies to several kinds of plants and
has been repeated for each. When this is so, the common name is given in
the key in parentheses before the scientific name is reached. Thus, if
one is satisfied to know merely that his plant is a dandelion, he learns
it in line 17b of the key to the Composite Family, but to discover which
kind of a dandelion he has, he must follow through the key and use the
scientific name.
There is in this book, therefore, no necessity of learning or using
scientific names. The less critical may be satisfied with an English
name, and others may use the scientific names as they see fit.
=Possible Errors.= In using this book, care must be taken to compare all
the lines under each number with the plant, and to use judgment in
selecting the right one. While faulty observation or poor judgment may
lead to error, a mistake is usually due to carelessness in not following
correctly the reference at the end of the line chosen. If one reaches a
number in which none of the lines of description agrees with the plant,
it is very probable that he has made a mistake at an earlier stage of
the identification, and he should then begin anew.
It has been the intention of the author to make the key as nearly as
possible proof against errors of judgment. For example, the Indian
Turnip may be sought under either Group 3 or Group 4; the Matrimony Vine
may be identified either as a shrub or as an herb, and numerous other
similar examples may be discovered.
=Botanical Information Needed.= It is presumed that those using the book
will be familiar with the parts of the flower and with the commoner
descriptive terms applied to leaves. Unusual terms have been avoided as
far as possible, but those which do occur, as well as the simpler ones,
are explained in the glossary.
In general, only those characters have been used in the keys which can
be observed without a magnifying glass and without dissection of the
flower.
In several groups of plants, reference is made to the fuller
descriptions to be found in the Manuals. The standard manuals for
Michigan are Gray's New Manual of Botany, 7th edition (American Book
Company, $2.50), and Britton and Brown, Illustrated Flora of the
Northern States and Canada (Chas. Scribner's Sons, $13.50). These books
may be consulted in most school or public libraries.
All dimensions are expressed in the metric system. For convenience, it
may be stated that 25 millimeters (mm.) are about equal to one inch; 1
centimeter (cm.) to two-fifths of an inch; 1 decimeter (dm.) to 4
inches; and 1 meter (m.) is a little more than 3 feet.
KEY TO GROUPS
1a. Trees, shrubs, or woody climbers, with stems which last from year to
year Group 1, =WOODY PLANTS=, p. ix.
1b. Herbaceous plants, with stems which live above ground only a single
season --2.
2a. Plants with unusual habits or structures, including leafless,
colorless, submerged, floating, parasitic, or hollow-leaved
plants Group 2, =UNUSUAL PLANTS=, p. xxiii.
2b. Ordinary terrestrial or swamp plants, without unusual
structural peculiarities --3.
3a. Leaves parallel-veined (or net-veined in a few species); parts of
the flower usually in threes or sixes, never in fives; wood-fibers
scattered through the stem; seed with one cotyledon. All plants with
definitely parallel-veined leaves may be identified through this
division, unless the parts of the flower are distinctly in fives.
Group 3, =MONOCOTYLEDONES=, p. xxvii.
3b. Leaves net-veined (or parallel-veined in a few species); parts of
the flower usually in fours or fives; wood-fibers arranged in a
circle in the stem; seeds with two cotyledons. All plants with
definitely net-veined leaves may be identified through this
division. Group 4, =DICOTYLEDONES=, p. xxx.
Note:--In order to avoid possible chances of error, many plants have
been treated under both of the above groups. The following hints may
also be useful in distinguishing Groups 3 and 4:
All herbaceous plants with deeply lobed, dissected or compound leaves
may be sought under the Dicotyledones.
All herbaceous plants with five stamens in each flower, or with seven or
more stamens and one ovary in each flower, may be sought under
Dicotyledones.
GROUP 1, WOODY PLANTS
1a. Trees, with erect stem and central trunk, attaining a height of 6 m.
(20 ft.) or more --2.
1b. Shrubs or woody vines, without true tree habit, or attaining heights
of less than 6 m. (20 ft.) --52.
2a. Key for use in earliest spring, for trees which have flowers
but no leaves --3.
2b. Key for use with trees bearing leaves --21.
3a. Flowers in catkins, without brightly colored or petal-like parts
--4.
3b. Flowers not in catkins, either with or without petals --14.
4a. Leaf-scars and lateral buds 2-ranked, i. e., in two
longitudinal rows with the third leaf above the first --5.
4b. Leaf-scars and buds in three or more longitudinal rows --9.
5a. From 1 to 3 bud-scales visible on each leaf-bud
2b, in =FAGACEAE=, p. 22.
5b. From 4 to 7 bud-scales visible on each leaf-bud --6.
5c. From 8 to 20 bud-scales visible on each leaf-bud; buds long and
slender; bark of the trunk smooth --8.
6a. Bundle-scars 5 or more 2b, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
6b. Bundle-scars 3 --7.
7a. Twigs bearing numerous dwarf branches thickly covered with crowded
leaf-scars (Birch) =BETULACEAE=, p. 21.
7b. Twigs without dwarf branches (Ironwood) 9a, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 22.
8a. Trunk cylindrical or nearly so 2a, in =FAGACEAE=, p. 22.
8b. Trunk prominently fluted with longitudinal ridges
1b, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 21.
9a. Bundle-scars 3 in each leaf-scar --10.
9b. Bundle scars more than 3 in each leaf-scar --12.
10a. Pith divided into separate cavities by transverse partitions
1a, in =JUGLANDACEAE=, p. 21.
10b. Pith not partitioned --11.
11a. Buds small, with only one external bud-scale
1b, in =SALICACEAE=, p. 19.
11b. Buds with more than one outer bud-scale
1a, in =SALICACEAE=, p. 19.
12a. Buds clustered near the tips of the twigs
1b, in =FAGACEAE=, p. 22.
12b. Buds not clustered at the tips of the twigs --13.
13a. Buds with about 3 visible bud-scales 2b, in =FAGACEAE=, p. 22.
13b. Terminal bud large, with 4 or more visible bud-scales
1b, in =JUGLANDACEAE=, p. 21.
14a. Flowers conspicuous, brightly colored, at least 8 mm. wide.
with both calyx and corolla --15.
14b. Flowers inconspicuous, seldom brightly colored, and then less
than 8 mm. wide --17.
15a. Flowers irregular, pink or red 3a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
15b. Flowers regular, white --16.
16a. Ovary one, superior, in the center of the flower
32b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
16b. Ovary inferior, appearing as a swelling below the calyx at the
summit of the pedicel 42b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 55.
17a. Leaf-scars and buds opposite --18.
17b. Leaf-scars and buds alternate --19.
18a. Bundle-scar one in each leaf-scar 1b, in =OLEACAE=, p. 88.
18b. Bundle-scars 3 or more in each leaf-scar =ACERACEAE=, p. 70.
19a. Bundle-scar 1 in each leaf-scar 1b, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
19b. Bundle-scars 3 in each leaf-scar --20.
19c. Bundle-scars 5 in each leaf-scar 7a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
20a. Branches thorny 5a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
20b. Branches not thorny 3a, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 24.
--21--
21a. Leaves narrow, needle-like or scale-like; trees mostly evergreen
=PINACEAE=, p. 1.
21b. Leaves broader, flat, never needle-like or scale-like, falling in
winter --22.
22a. Leaves compound --23.
22b. Leaves simple --29.
23a. Leaves opposite --24.
23b. Leaves alternate --26.
24a. Leaves palmately compound with 5-7 leaflets
=SAPINDACEAE=, p. 70.
24b. Leaves pinnately compound --25.
25a. Leaflets 3-5 1a, in =ACERACEAE=, p. 70.
25b. Leaflets 7-11 1b, in =OLEACEAE=, p. 88.
26a. Stem or branches thorny 4a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
26b. Stem or branches not thorny --27.
27a. Leaflets entire 7a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
27b. Leaflets entire except for a few large glandular teeth near their
base =SIMARUBACEAE=, p. 65.
27c. Leaflets serrate their entire length --28.
28a. Upper leaflets less than 25 mm. wide
4b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 51.
28b. Upper leaflets more than 25 mm. wide
=JUGLANDACEAE=, p. 21.
29a. Leaves opposite --30.
29b. Leaves alternate --32.
30a. Leaves entire =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
30b. Leaves toothed or lobed, not entire --31.
31a. Leaves lobed 1b, in =ACERACEAE=, p. 70.
31b. Leaves merely toothed 27b, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 111.
32a. Leaves entire --33.
32b. Leaves toothed --36.
32c. Leaves lobed --47.
33a. Leaves heart-shape 3a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
33b. Leaves not heart-shape --34.
34a. Twigs and foliage spicy-aromatic 1b, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
34b. Twigs and foliage not aromatic --35.
35a. Pith 5-angled; fruit an acorn 3a, in =FAGACEAE=, p. 22.
35b. Pith not 5-angled; fruit a berry 1a, in =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
36a. Leaves oblique at base, i. e., one side of the leaf larger
than the other --37.
36b. Leaves symmetrical, not oblique at base --38.
37a. Leaves heart-shape, about as broad as long =TILIACEAE=, p. 72.
37b. Leaves oval or ovate, much longer than wide
1a, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
38a. Stems thorny 41b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
38b. Stems not thorny --39.
39a. Leaves finely toothed, with 3-many teeth per centimeter of margin
--40.
39b. Leaves coarsely toothed, with 1-2 teeth per centimeter of margin
--46.
40a. Petioles laterally compressed 2a, in =SALICACEAE=, p. 19.
40b. Petioles not compressed --41.
41a. Leaves, or many of them, crowded on short spur-like branches --42.
41b. Leaves scattered, not on short spur-like branches --43.
42a. Bark of the trunks separating in thin papery or leathery
sheets =BETULACEAE=, p. 21.
42b. Bark of the trunk not papery or leathery
24b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 53.
43a. Lateral leaf-veins straight and parallel, and terminating in the
teeth =BETULACEAE=, p. 21.
43b. Lateral veins more or less curved, and not ending in the teeth
--44.
44a. Leaves palmately veined, about as broad as long; juice
somewhat milky 2b, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
44b. Leaves pinnately veined; juice not milky --45.
45a. Willows, with slender leaves and brittle twigs
8a, in =SALICACEAE=, p. 19.
45b. Trees with lanceolate, ovate, or oblong leaves and tough twigs
30, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
45c. Cottonwoods, with broad, heart-shape or rounded leaves
1a, in =SALICACEAE=, p. 19.
46a. Petioles laterally compressed 2a, in =SALICACEAE=, p. 19.
46b. Petioles not compressed; lateral veins straight and parallel,
running directly to the teeth =FAGACEAE=, p. 22.
47a. Stem thorny 41b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
47b. Stem not thorny --48.
48a. Leaves palmately veined --49.
48b. Leaves pinnately veined --51.
49a. Lobes of the leaf entire 1b, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
49b. Lobes of the leaf serrate --50.
50a. Juice somewhat milky; lateral buds visible
2b, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
50b. Juice not milky; lateral buds covered by the base of the
petiole =PLATANACEAE=, p. 51.
51a. Leaves with 4 large entire lobes; stem marked with a ring at each
node =MAGNOLIACEAE=, p. 40.
51b. Leaves with many lobes; stem not ringed 1b, in =FAGACEAE=, p. 22.
--52--
52a. For specimens bearing leaves only --53.
52b. For specimens bearing flowers only --140.
52c. For specimens with both leaves and flowers --155.
53a. Leaves narrow, needle-like or scale-like, mostly evergreen --54.
53b. Leaves broader, flat or rolled, but not needle-like or scale-like
--56.
54a. Foliage densely gray-pubescent; low bushy shrubs with yellow
flowers 2a, in =CISTACEAE=, p. 74.
54b. Foliage green --55.
55a. Leaves opposite or whorled =PINACEAE=, p. 1.
55b. Leaves scattered on the stem =TAXACEAE=, p. 2.
56a. Twining or climbing vines --57.
56b. Not climbing or twining --66.
57a. Thorny vines --58.
57b. Not thorny --60.
58a. Climbing by tendrils at the base of the leaves
4b, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 11.
58b. Tendrils none --59.
59a. Leaves simple 5a, in =SOLANACEAE=, p. 100.
59b. Leaves compound 8a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 52.
60a. Leaves compound --61.
60b. Leaves simple --63.
61a. Leaves with 5 leaflets 1a, in =VITACEAE=, p. 71.
61b. Leaves with 3 leaflets --62.
62a. Plant climbing by tendril-like leaf-stalks
1a, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 35.
62b. Plant climbing by hold-fast roots
5b, in =ANACARDIACEAE=, p. 69.
63a. Leaves opposite 5a, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 110.
63b. Leaves alternate --64.
64a. Plants climbing by tendrils 1b, in =VITACEAE=, p. 71.
64b. Twining plants --65.
65a. Leaves ovate-oblong, attached by the base
1a, in =CELASTRACEAE=, p. 69.
65b. Leaves almost round, peltate near the edge =MENISPERMACEAE= p. 40.
66a. Leaves opposite --67.
66b. Leaves alternate --84.
67a. Leaves compound --68.
67b. Leaves simple --69.
68a. Leaflets 3 =STAPHYLEACEAE=, p. 69.
68b. Leaflets 7 or more 1a, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 109.
69a. Leaves palmately veined, or at least with a pair of prominent
lateral veins from the base --70.
69b. Leaves pinnately veined --72.
70a. Leaves not lobed 1b, in =RHAMNACEAE=, p. 71.
70b. Leaves more or less lobed --71.
71a. Leaves with stipules 22a, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 111.
71b. Leaves without stipules 2a, in =ACERACEAE=, p. 70.
72a. Leaves serrate --73.
72b. Leaves entire --77.
73a. Stem thorny 1b, in =RHAMNACEAE=, p. 71.
73b. Stem not thorny --74.
74a. Bark of the ripe twigs green 1b, in =CELASTRACEAE=, p. 69.
74b. Bark of the ripe twigs brown, reddish, or gray --75.
75a. Twigs with a prominent hairy ridge extending downward from the
middle of the line connecting the petiole bases
13a, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 110.
75b. Twigs without any pubescent ridge --76.
76a. Erect shrubs; leaves obviously toothed
11b, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 110.
76b. Spreading shrubs; most of the leaves entire, and only here and
there some with serrate margins
18b, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 110.
77a. Leaves silvery beneath with a dense coating of scales
=ELAEAGNACEAE=, p. 77.
77b. Leaves green beneath, or somewhat hairy and light-colored --78.
78a. Aquatic plant with lanceolate leaves, and stems bending over
and into the water 1a, in =LYTHRACEAE=, p. 77.
78b. Not truly aquatic, although frequently in wet places --79.
79a. Leaves evergreen, as shown by their presence on the older stems
18a, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 85.
79b. Leaves deciduous each year --80.
80a. Leaves dotted with translucent dots, easily seen when the leaf
is held to the light 1a, in =HYPERICACEAE=, p. 73.
80b. Leaves not dotted with translucent dots --81.
81a. Lateral veins curved forward and running almost parallel to the
leaf-margin =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
81b. Lateral veins spreading, and not paralleling the leaf-margin --82.
82a. Leaves with stipules 1a, 1a, in =RUBIACEAE=, p. 108.
82b. Leaves with a prominent ridge connecting them at the base
--83.
82c. Leaves with neither stipules nor connecting ridges
1a, in =OLEACEAE=, p. 88.
83a. Bundle-scar one in each leaf-scar 18b, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 110.
83b. Bundle-scars three in each leaf-scar (Honeysuckle)
12, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 110.
84a. Leaves compound --85.
84b. Leaves simple --95.
85a. Stems prickly or thorny --86.
85b. Stems without prickles or thorns --88.
86a. Leaves twice-pinnate 4a, 1a, in =ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
86b. Leaves evenly pinnate 5b, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
86c. Leaves odd-pinnate or trifoliate --87.
87a. Leaflets entire 1a, 1a, in =RUTACEAE=, p. 65.
87b. Leaflets serrate 3b, 3b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 51.
88a. Leaflets 3 --89.
88b. Leaflets 5 to many --91.
89a. Tall shrubs; leaflets entire or minutely toothed
1b, in =RUTACEAE=, p. 65.
89b. Shrubs 2 m. high or less; leaves conspicuously toothed --90.
90a. Stipules present 17b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 53.
90b. Stipules none 1b, in =ANACARDIACEAE=, p. 68.
91a. Leaflets 6-25 mm. long --92.
91b. Leaflets 30 mm. long, or more --93.
92a. Leaflets mostly 5, rarely 3 or 7 7a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 52.
92b. Leaflets mostly 9-19, 15 mm. long or more
26a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 60.
92c. Leaflets mostly 25-45, less than 15 mm. long
8a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
93a. Leaflets entire 3a, in =ANACARDIACEAE=, p. 68.
93b. Leaflets entire, except for 1-4 large glandular teeth near their
base =SIMARUBACEAE=, p. 65.
93c. Leaflets toothed throughout --94.
94a. Juice milky 1a, in =ANACARDIACEAE=, p. 68.
94b. Juice not milky 3a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 51.
95a. Leaves minute, scale-like, appressed 2a, in =CISTACEAE=, p. 74.
95b. Leaves 3-10 mm. long, spreading, completely rolled into a tube
=EMPETRACEAE=, p. 68.
95c. Leaves normal in shape, green in color --96.
96a. Leaves evergreen, as shown by their presence on the older
parts of the stem 4b, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 84.
96b. Leaves deciduous --97.
97a. Stems or branches thorny --98.
97b. Stems or branches without thorns or thorny leaves --103.
98a. Leaves conspicuously palmately veined --99.
98b. Leaves pinnately veined, or sometimes with smaller lateral
veins arising from the end of the petiole --100.
99a. Leaves 5 cm. wide or less 1a, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 49.
99b. Leaves 15 cm. wide or more 1a, in =ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
100a. Leaves entire 5a, in =SOLANACEAE=, p. 100.
100b. Leaves toothed or somewhat lobed --101.
101a. Leaves with bristly margins; some of the thorns three-pointed
2a, in =BERBERIDACEAE=, p. 40.
101b. Leaves not bristly on the margin; thorns not branched --102.
102a. Only lateral thorns present 41b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
102b. Only terminal thorns present 2a, in =RHAMNACEAE=, p. 71.
103a. Leaves palmately veined, or with one or more pairs of lateral
veins from the base of the leaf --104.
103b. Leaves pinnately veined --111.
104a. Leaves entire --105.
104b. Leaves toothed --106.
104c. Leaves palmately lobed --108.
105a. Foliage fragrant when crushed; leaves ovate
1b, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
105b. Foliage not aromatic; leaves heart-shape
3b, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
106a. Lateral veins straight and parallel, running to the teeth of
the leaf 3a, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 22.
106b. Lateral veins curved or branched, and not running straight to
the teeth --107.
107a. Tall shrubs with somewhat milky juice and broadly ovate leaves
2b, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
107b. Low shrubs less than 1 m. high with watery juice
1b, in =RHAMNACEAE=, p. 71.
108a. Leaves with 2 or 3 entire lobes, spicy-fragrant when crushed
1b, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
108b. Leaves with milky juice 2b, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
108c. Leaves neither spicy-fragrant nor with milky juice --109.
109a. Stem covered with brown bristles 29, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
109b. Stem not bristly --110.
110a. Sides of the petiole strongly decurrent on the stem;
bundle-scars crowded or nearly in contact in the leaf-scars
28b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 53.
110b. Sides of petiole little decurrent or not at all; bundle-scars
distinctly separate 2b, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 49.
111a. Leaves aromatically fragrant when crushed --112.
111b. Leaves not aromatically fragrant when crushed --113.
112a. Leaves broadly obovate, entire; a common woodland shrub
1a, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
112b. Leaves linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate, conspicuously
toothed or entire =MYRICACEAE=, p. 20.
113a. Leaves entire --114.
113b. Leaves toothed or lobed --121.
114a. Base of the petiole covering the axillary buds; twigs marked
with rings =THYMELAEACEAE=, p. 77.
114b. Base of petiole not covering the bud, and twigs not marked
with rings --115.
115a. Pith with prominent partitions; tall shrubs with fetid bark;
leaves obovate, 10 cm. long or larger =ANONACEAE=, p. 40.
115b. Pith not partitioned; leaves smaller --116.
116a. Leaves waxy or resinous underneath
24b, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 86.
116b. Leaves not waxy or resinous --117.
117a. Lateral veins curved forward and almost parallel to the margin of
the leaf 2a, in =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
117b. Lateral veins spreading --118.
118a. Leaves lanceolate or linear, much longer than wide --119.
118b. Leaves ovate or elliptical --120.
119a. Stem weak, spreading or trailing 5a, in =SOLANACEAE=, p. 100.
119b. Stems, or some of them, erect 3b, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
120a. Leaves with purple petioles, which are at least one-fourth as
long as the leaf-blade 1a, in =AQUIFOLIACEAE=, p. 69.
120b. Leaves with short petioles or sessile
24c, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 86.
121a. Lateral veins straight and parallel, mostly ending in the teeth of
the leaf --122.
121b. Lateral veins not straight and parallel --129.
122a. Leaves 2-ranked, i. e., in two longitudinal rows, with the
third leaf directly above the first --123.
122b. Leaves not 2-ranked --127.
123a. Leaves unsymmetrical, oblique at the base, i. e., with one side of
the leaf larger than the other =HAMAMELIDACEAE=, p. 51.
123b. Leaves symmetrical or nearly so at the base --124.
124a. Lateral leaf-veins ending in the leaf-teeth --125.
124b. Lateral veins not ending in the teeth
42b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 55.
125a. Bark smooth and fluted on the large stems
1b, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 21.
125b. Bark rough or warty or glandular --126.
126a. Leaves 4 cm. long or less 3a, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 22.
126b. Leaves 5 cm. long or more 9b, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 22.
127a. Pith 3-angled 6a, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 22.
127b. Pith 5-angled 13b, in =FAGACEAE=, p. 23.
127c. Pith cylindrical --128.
128a. Leaves finely serrate 42b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 55.
128b. Leaves coarsely or doubly serrate 41a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
129a. Leaves coarsely or doubly serrate --130.
129b. Leaves simply serrate --131.
130a. Leaves 2-ranked, i. e., in two longitudinal rows, with the
third leaf directly over the first
9b, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 22.
130b. Leaves not 2-ranked 41a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
131a. Leaves with glands on the petiole or at the base of the leaf-blade
--132.
131b. Leaves with small dark glands on the upper side of the mid-vein
42a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
131c. Leaves without glands --133.
132a. Willows; with usually slender leaves, frequently conspicuous
broad stipules, and lateral buds protected by a single
external bud-scale 13, in =SALICACEAE=, p. 20.
132b. Plums and cherries; with leaves lanceolate or broader, and
stipules minute and falling early in the season; lateral buds
with more than one bud-scale 30, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
133a. With stipules or with stipular scars indicating where stipules
have been detached --134.
133b. Without stipules or stipular scars --138.
134a. With three bundle-scars in each leaf-scar --135.
134b. With one bundle-scar in each leaf-scar --136.
135a. Willows; usually with slender leaves and twigs and frequently with
large conspicuous stipules; lateral buds covered by a single
external bud-scale 13, in =SALICACEAE=, p. 20.
135b. Juneberries; with oblong or ovate leaves and small stipules which
fall early; lateral buds with more than one external scale
42b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 55.
136a. Leaves mostly entire, only a few here and there with low
teeth 1a, in =AQUIFOLIACEAE=, p. 69.
136b. Leaves sharply toothed --137.
137a. Axillary buds superposed, i. e., with a second one just above the
first 1b, in =AQUIFOLIACEAE=, p. 69.
137b. Axillary buds not superposed 2b, in =RHAMNACEAE=, p. 71.
138a. Leaves with purple petioles, which are at least one-fourth as
long as the blade 1a, in =AQUIFOLIACEAE=, p. 69.
138b. Leaves short-petioled or sessile --139.
139a. Stems erect and straight, unbranched or with very few branches
27, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 53.
139b. Stems more or less crooked and freely branched, making a spreading
shrub 25, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 86.
--140--
140a. Flowers appearing in autumn, after the leaves have fallen
=HAMAMELIDACEAE=, p. 51.
140b. Flowers appearing in spring, before the leaves have opened
--141.
141a. Flowers in catkins, without brightly colored or petal-like parts
--142.
141b. Flowers not in catkins, either with or without brightly colored or
petal-like parts --149.
142a. Leaves 2-ranked, as shown by the arrangement of buds and
leaf-scars in two longitudinal rows, so that the third bud is
directly over the first --143.
142b. Leaves and leaf-scars not 2-ranked --146.
143a. Bundle-scars three in each leaf-scar --144.
143b. Bundle-scars several in each leaf-scar 2b, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
144a. Leaf-buds with only 1-3 visible bud-scales
10, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 22.
144b. Leaf-buds with more than 3 visible scales --145.
145a. Bark of the branches smooth and dark gray, the larger stems fluted
with projecting longitudinal ridges 1b, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 21.
145b. Branches without projecting ridges 4, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 22.
146a. Pith 3-angled 8, in =BETULACEAE=, p. 22.
146b. Pith 5-angled 13b, in =FAGACEAE=, p. 23.
146c. Pith cylindrical --147.
147a. Visible outer bud-scales 2 or more --148.
147b. Buds with a single visible outer scale
13, in =SALICACEAE=, p. 20.
148a. Bundle-scars 3 in each leaf-scar =MYRICACEAE=, p. 20.
148b. Bundle-scars more than 3 in each leaf-scar
2b, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
149a. Flowers dark red-purple, about 3 cm. wide =ANONACEAE=, p. 40.
149b. Flowers bright pink, irregular, about 1 cm. wide
3a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
149c. Flowers white, with 5 conspicuous petals --150.
149d. Flowers greenish or yellowish, small, inconspicuous --152.
150a. Ovary 1, superior, i. e., in the center of the flower and not
attached to surrounding parts 36, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 54.
150b. Ovary inferior, appearing as a swelling below the calyx at
the apex of the pedicel --151.
151a. Flowers in racemes or solitary 42b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 55.
151b. Flowers in flattened or rounded branching clusters
42a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 55.
152a. Stems thorny 1a, in =RUTACEAE=, p. 65.
152b. Stems not thorny --153.
153a. Bark pleasantly aromatic when crushed; perianth with 6 parts
--154.
153b. Bark not pleasantly aromatic; perianth with 4 short lobes
=THYMELAEACEAE=, p. 77.
154a. Flowers in sessile lateral clusters
1a, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
154b. Flowers in peduncled terminal clusters
1b, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
--155--
155a. Leaves narrow, needle-like or scale-like, mostly evergreen --54.
155b. Leaves broader, flat or rolled, but not needle-like or scale-like
--156.
156a. Twining or climbing vines --56.
156b. Not twining or climbing --157.
157a. Leaves opposite --158.
157b. Leaves alternate --165.
158a. Leaves compound --68.
158b. Leaves simple --159.
159a. Leaves broad, palmately lobed --160.
159b. Leaves not palmately lobed --161.
160a. Flowers greenish-yellow, in racemes or panicles
2a, in =ACERACEAE=, p. 70.
160b. Flowers white, in rounded or flattened clusters
22a, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 111.
161a. Flowers in close clusters, subtended by four large white
petal-like bracts 4b, in =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
161b. Flowers small, white, in dense spherical heads
1a, in =RUBIACEAE=, p. 108.
161c. Flowers not in dense heads, and not subtended by petal-like bracts
--162.
162a. Petals separate from each other --163.
162b. Petals united with each other --164.
163a. Flowers dark purple-red 1b, in =CELASTRACEAE=. p. 69.
163b. Flowers bright yellow 1a, in =HYPERICACEAE=, p. 73.
163c. Flowers pink-purple; aquatic shrubs 1a, in =LYTHRACEAE=, p. 77.
163d. Flowers white 5, in =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
163e. Flowers minute, greenish; twigs usually thorny
1b, in =RHAMNACEAE=, p. 71.
163f. Flowers small, yellowish; leaves silvery beneath
=ELAEAGNACEAE=, p. 77.
164a. Stamens 2 1a, in =OLEACEAE=, p. 88.
164b. Stamens 4 or 5 11, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 110.
164c. Stamens 10 18a, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 85.
165a. Leaves once-compound --166.
165b. Leaves simple --172.
165c. Leaves twice- or thrice-compound 4a, in =ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
166a. Flowers small, greenish or greenish-yellow --167.
166b. Flowers conspicuous, white, or brightly colored --170.
167a. Stems thorny 1a, in =RUTACEAE=, p. 65.
167b. Stems not thorny --168.
168a. Leaflets 3, entire or minutely toothed
1b, in =RUTACEAE=, p. 65.
168b. Leaflets 3, conspicuously toothed
1b, in =ANACARDIACEAE=, p. 68.
168c. Leaflets more than 3 --169.
169a. Leaflets entire except for 1-4 large glandular teeth near their
base =SIMARUBACEAE=, p. 65.
169b. Leaflets entire, or toothed for their entire length
=ANACARDIACEAE=, p. 68.
170a. Flowers with a single bright-blue petal
8a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
170b. Flowers with several petals --171.
171a. Flowers regular 3, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 51.
171b. Flowers irregular, the upper petal the largest
4, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
172a. Leaves minute, scale-like, appressed
2a, in =CISTACEAE=, p. 74.
172b. Leaves 3-10 mm. long, spreading, completely rolled into a
tube =EMPETRACEAE=, p. 68.
172c. Leaves normal in shape, green in color --173.
173a. Leaves evergreen, as shown by their presence on the older parts of
the stem 4b, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 84.
173b. Leaves deciduous --174.
174a. Flowers in catkins, without petal-like parts --142.
174b. Flowers not in catkins, either with or without petal-like
parts --175.
175a. Flowers small, inconspicuous, yellowish or greenish in color
--176.
175b. Flowers white or colored, with conspicuous petals --180.
176a. Leaves broad and palmately lobed; stem thorny
1a, in =ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
176b. Leaves entire, toothed, or with 2-3 entire lobes; stem not
thorny --177.
177a. Flowers in small axillary clusters; foliage not spicy-aromatic
--178.
177b. Flowers in clusters terminating last year's twigs; foliage
spicy-aromatic 1b, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
178a. Petals none; sepals present 2b, in =RHAMNACEAE=, p. 71.
178b. Petals present but small --179.
179a. A stamen in front of each petal 2a, in =RHAMNACEAE=, p. 71.
179b. A stamen between each two petals =AQUIFOLIACEAE=, p. 69.
180a. Petals united with each other; stamens 8-10
24, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 86.
180b. Petals separate from each other --181.
181a. Petals 4 --182.
181b. Petals 5 --183.
181c. Petal-like sepals 6; real petals none; foliage spicy-aromatic
1b, in =LAURACEAE=, p. 41.
181d. Petals 6; sepals also present --187.
182a. Flowers in late spring or early summer
2a, in =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
182b. Flowers in autumn =HAMAMELIDACEAE=, p. 51.
183a. Corolla irregular, the upper petal largest
3b, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
183b. Corolla regular, all petals alike in size and shape --184.
184a. Stamens 5 --185.
184b. Stamens 10 or more 24, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 53.
185a. Flowers in loose racemes or axillary clusters
2, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 49.
185b. Flowers in branching clusters --186.
186a. Leaves palmately lobed; stem thorny
1a, in =ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
186b. Leaves not lobed; stem not thorny
1b, in =RHAMNACEAE=, p. 71.
187a. Flowers dark red-purple =ANONACEAE=, p. 40.
187b. Flowers yellow 2a, in =BERBERIDACEAE=, p. 40.
GROUP 2, UNUSUAL PLANTS
1a. Small brown leafless plants, growing as parasites on the tamarack or
black spruce =LORANTHACEAE=, p. 25.
1b. Aquatic plants, with all or most of the leaves submerged, or
leafless --2.
1c. Aquatic plants, with the leaves or the whole plant floating on or
near the surface --20.
1d. Terrestrial or marsh plants, without floating or submerged leaves
--29.
2a. Submerged aquatics, without leaves --3.
2b. Submerged aquatics, with the leaves linear or dissected --4.
3a. Flowers showy, yellow or purple =LENTIBULARIACEAE=, p. 105.
3b Flowers small and inconspicuous, sessile, purplish or greenish
3a, in =HALORAGIDACEAE=, p. 79.
4a. Leaves linear or lanceolate, not lobed or dissected --5.
4b. Leaves more or less lobed or dissected --13.
5a. Leaves all basal --6.
5b. Stem-leaves present --7.
6a. Flowers blue, 1 cm. long or more; leaves cylindrical, blunt,
hollow, partitioned lengthwise 1a, in =LOBELIACEAE=, p. 113.
6b. Flowers yellow; leaves minute =LENTIBULARIACEAE=, p. 105.
6c. Flowers white, in clusters; leaves linear-lanceolate, acute,
not hollow 1b, in =ALISMACEAE=, p. 3.
6d. Flowers greenish, solitary at the end of elongated peduncles;
leaves very long and ribbon-like, flat or trough-shape
1a, in =HYDROCHARITACEAE=, p. 3.
6e. Flowers minute, whitish or lead-color, in heads
=ERIOCAULACEAE=, p. 9.
7a. Leaves alternate --8.
7b. Leaves opposite --10.
7c. Leaves whorled --12.
8a. Leaves with thin sheathing stipules 1b, in =NAJADACEAE=, p. 2.
8b. Leaves without stipules --9.
9a. Flowers greenish, in a head =SPARGANIACEAE=, p. 2.
9b. Flowers pale yellow 1b, in =PONTEDERIACEAE=, p. 10.
10a. Leaves serrate 2b, in =NAJADACEAE=, p. 2.
10b. Leaves entire --11.
11a. Leaves 2 cm. long or less =CALLITRICHACEAE=, p. 68.
11b. Leaves thread-like, 2-8 cm. long 2a, in =NAJADACEAE=, p. 2.
11c. Leaves linear to elliptical, more than 2 cm. long
1b, in =NAJADACEAE=, p. 2.
12a. Leaves in whorls of 3, abruptly widened at the base
2b, in =NAJADACEAE=, p. 2.
12b. Leaves in whorls of 3, widest near the middle
1b, in =HYDROCHARITACEAE=, p. 3.
12c. Stems straight and erect, at leaves the flowers emerged;
leaves in whorls of 4 or more 2a, in =HALORAGIDACEAE=, p. 79.
13a. Leaves with numerous small bladders attached, each bladder 1-3 mm.
long =LENTIBULARIACEAE=, p. 105.
13b. Leaves without bladders --14.
14a. Leaves alternate --15.
14b. Leaves opposite or whorled --18.
15a. Delicate and rare plants growing attached to stones in running
water =PODOSTEMACEAE=, p. 48.
15b. Plants 2 dm. high or more, with roots in mud or sand --16.
16a. Leaves once-pinnate --17.
16b. Leaves 2-3 times pinnate 15b, in =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 81.
16c. Leaves palmately dissected 1b, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 35.
17a. Taste peppery or mustardy 34, in =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 45.
17b. Taste not peppery or mustardy 1a, in =HALORAGIDACEAE=, p. 79.
18a. Leaves pinnately compound 3b, in =HALORAGIDACEAE=, p. 79.
18b. Leaves palmately compound --19.
19a. Leaves opposite or in whorls of four 119a, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 123.
19b. Leaves in whorls of 5-12 =CERATOPHYLLACEAE=, p. 34.
20a. Plants small, flattened, rounded or ovate, without distinction
of stem and leaf; the whole plant floating on or near the
surface =LEMNACEAE=, p. 9.
20b. Plant attached to the soil, with differentiated stem and
leaves --21.
21a. Leaves on long slender stalks, which bear also a cluster of slender
tubers near the leaf-base; leaves heart-shape
1b, in =GENTIANACEAE=, p. 88.
21b. Leaf-stalks without a cluster of tubers --22.
22a. Leaves all basal --23.
22b. Stem-leaves present --24.
23a. Leaves parallel-veined 1b, in =ALISMACEAE=, p. 3.
23b. Leaves net-veined 1b, in =NYMPHAEACEAE=, p. 35.
24a. Leaves opposite or whorled --25.
24b. Leaves alternate --26.
25a. Leaves less than 2 cm. long =CALLITRICHACEAE=, p. 68.
25b. Leaves more than 2 cm. long 1b, in =NAJADACEAE=, p. 2.
26a. Leaves attached by the center to the stalk
2b, in =NYMPHAEACEAE=, p. 35.
26b. Leaves attached by the margin --27.
27a. Leaves parallel-veined --28.
27b. Leaves net-veined, with a single mid-vein; lanceolate or elliptical
in outline 29b, in =POLYGONACEAE=, p. 28.
28a. Leaves not over 2 dm. long 1b, in =NAJADACEAE=, p. 2.
28b. Leaves very long and grass-like 14a, in =GRAMINEAE=, p. 5.
29a. Brown, yellow, or white plants, without green color --30.
29b. Plants with normal green color, at least in some parts --33.
30a. Stemless and leafless plants, consisting of flowers only and
partly underground 4a, in =ARACEAE=, p. 8.
30b. Stems climbing on other plants 1b, in =CONVOLVULACEAE=, p. 91.
30c. Stem and flower-stalks erect, not climbing --31.
31a. Corolla regular; stamens 6-12 1a, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 84.
31b. Corolla irregular --32.
32a. Sepals and petals each 3; flowers in simple racemes
5a, in =ORCHIDACEAE=, p. 16.
32b. Sepals 5; corolla of united petals =OROBANCHACEAE=, p. 106.
33a. Stem thick and fleshy, leafless, thorny =CACTACEAE=, p. 77.
33b. Stem not thorny --34.
34a. Leaves none --35.
34b. Leaves reduced to small scales --40.
34c. Leaves thick and fleshy --44.
34d. Leaves hollow --45.
34e. Leaves small, all basal, bearing large glandular hairs on the
upper surface =DROSERACEAE=, p. 48.
35a. Stem none, the flowers appearing at or partially beneath the
surface of the soil 4a, in =ARACEAE=, p. 8.
35b. Stem present --36.
36a. Stem freely branched 2a, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 10.
36b. Stem unbranched, except possibly in the flower-clusters
--37.
37a. Flowers greenish or brownish, without obvious colored petals --38.
37b. Flowers with conspicuous white or colored petals --39.
38a. Each flower with 6 small chaffy petals
4, in =JUNCACEAE=, p. 10.
38b. Petals none; each flower in the axil of a single chaffy bract
2a, in =CYPERACEAE=, p. 7.
39a. Flowers regular 34a, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 11.
39b. Flowers irregular 10a, in =ORCHIDACEAE=, p. 16.
40a. Stem erect, unbranched or with one or two branches only --41.
40b. Stem freely branched --42.
41a. Plants of moist soil, with opposite scales; corolla regular, with 4
petal-like lobes 1a, in =GENTIANACEAE=, p. 88.
41b. Swamp plants, with a few alternate scales; corolla irregular
=LENTIBULARIACEAE=, p. 105.
42a. Leaves numerous and close, concealing the stem
2a, in =CISTACEAE=, p. 74.
42b. Leaves spreading, not concealing the stem --43.
43a. Leaf-scales in small clusters; flowers greenish, with 6 petals
2a, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 10.
43b. Leaf-scales distinctly opposite; petals 5, yellow
7a, in =HYPERICACEAE=, p. 74.
44a. Sepals 2 3, in =PORTULACACEAE=, p. 34.
44b. Sepals 4 or 5 =CRASSULACEAE=, p. 48.
45a. Leaves pitcher-shape, open at the top =SARRACENIACEAE=, p. 48.
45b. Leaves tubular, closed at the end 37b, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 13.
GROUP 3, MONOCOTYLEDONES
1a. Twining plants, with flowers in panicles or racemes
=DIOSCOREACEAE=, p. 14.
1b. Plants with milky juice
13a, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 115.
1c. Plants not twining (some climb by tendrils) and not with milky
juice. --2.
2a. Flowers in close spikes or heads, surrounded or subtended by a
green or colored bract, the whole resembling a single flower;
petals minute or wanting; leaves broad, not grass-like, linear,
or sword-shape =ARACEAE=, p. 8.
2b. Plants with narrow, linear, grass-like, or sword-shape leaves
(a few species of Carex have broader, lanceolate to ovate
leaves); flowers greenish, yellowish, or brownish, never
brightly colored, and frequently dry or chaffy in texture;
perianth small or wanting; individual flowers inconspicuous in
size, but sometimes grouped into conspicuous clusters --3.
2c. Plants with leaves of various widths, but the flowers petaloid,
i. e., with a white or colored, more or less conspicuous
perianth, and never chaffy in texture. In a few cases the
flowers are greenish, but the size and conspicuousness of the
perianth identifies them in this class --9.
3a. Flowers in the axils of dry, membranous or chaffy scales, which are
regularly arranged into spikes or spikelets of uniform size and
structure, which are variously grouped or clustered; fruit an
achene; grasses and sedges, with joined stems and sheathing leaves,
or leafless and the stems not jointed --4.
3b. Flowers not subtended individually by dry, membranous, or chaffy
scales, and otherwise not agreeing with 3a --5.
4a. Leaf-sheaths split on the side opposite the leaf; leaves
usually 2-ranked, i. e., in 2 longitudinal rows with the third
leaf above the first; stems rounded or flat, never triangular,
usually hollow =GRAMINEAE=, p. 4.
4b. Leaf-sheaths closed into a continuous tube; leaves usually
3-ranked; stems frequently triangular, usually solid
=CYPERACEAE=, p. 7.
5a. Flowers in dense spikes --6.
5b. Flowers in heads, racemes, or panicles --7.
6a. Spike terminal, with pistillate flowers at the base and
staminate ones at the apex =TYPHACEAE=, p. 2.
6b. Spike short, apparently lateral, near the apex of the stem
3a, in =ARACEAE=, p. 8.
7a. Flowers in globose heads which are arranged in spikes, the lowest
heads pistillate, the upper staminate; ovary 1-celled
=SPARGANIACEAE=, p. 2.
7b. Flowers in globose woolly heads terminating leafless unbranched
stalks =ERIOCAULACEAE=, p. 9.
7c. Flowers in a spike-like raceme; ovaries 3-6, separate or nearly so
=JUNCAGINACEAE=, p. 3.
7d. Flowers in heads or panicles, all perfect, not woolly, with one
ovary --8.
8a. Leaves less than 1 cm. wide, or none; divisions of the perianth
6 =JUNCACEAE=, p. 10.
8b. Leaves 2 cm. wide or more; petals 5
2a, in =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
9a. Flowers regular, with all the petals of approximately the same size
and shape --10.
9b. Flowers irregular, with the petals of each flower not of the same
size or shape --22.
10a. Ovaries 3 or more, separate or barely united with each other
at the base --11.
10b. Ovary one in each flower --12.
11a. Ovaries 3-6 in number; flowers in spikes or racemes; leaves linear
=JUNCAGINACEAE=, p. 3.
11b. Ovaries more than 6 =ALISMACEAE=, p. 3.
12a. Flowers or flower-clusters lateral, axillary or apparently so
--13.
12b. Flowers or flower-clusters terminal or on leafless stalks
--14.
13a. Leaves minute and scale-like; flowers greenish-yellow
2a, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 10.
13b. Leaves linear, grass-like 3b, in =IRIDACEAE=, p. 13.
13c. Leaves lanceolate or broader, not grass-like or scale-like
2b, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 10.
14a. Divisions of the perianth 5-12 cm. long --15.
14b. Divisions of the perianth less than 5 cm. long --16.
15a. Flowers blue, or blue marked with yellow 1a, in =IRIDACEAE=, p. 15.
15b. Flowers not blue 12a, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 11.
16a. Flowers solitary --17.
16b. Flowers 2 or more, in some kind of a cluster --18.
17a. Leaves 2, broadly heart-shape, basal, on long stalks
1b, in =ARISTOLOCHIACEAE=, p. 25.
17b. Leaves not heart-shape 20, 20, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 12.
18a. Divisions of the perianth (4 to 6) all essentially alike --19.
18b. Perianth differentiated into sepals and 2 or 3 colored petals
--21.
19a. Flowers in umbels --20.
19b. Flowers in dense round heads; petals 5
2a, in =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
19c. Flowers in spikes, racemes, or panicles 38, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 13.
20a. Ovary inferior, appearing below the perianth as a swelling at
the apex of the stalk; flowers bright yellow; leaves linear
=AMARYLLIDACEAE=, p. 14.
20b. Ovary inferior; flowers blue or white, terminating a flattened
winged leafless flower-stalk 3a, in =IRIDACEAE=, p. 15.
20c. Ovary superior, i. e., in the center of the flower and
separate from the perianth 31, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 13.
21a. Flowers in dense heads, yellow, 1 cm. wide or smaller
=XYRIDACEAE=, p. 9.
21b. Flowers in umbels, blue or white, 2 cm. wide or larger
=COMMELINACEAE=, p. 9.
22a. Flowers blue; ovary superior (defined under _20c_); stamens
distinct from the other parts of the flower --23.
22b. Ovary inferior (defined under _20a_); floral structure
complex; stamens attached to other parts of the flower and not
resembling ordinary stamens in form or structure
=ORCHIDACEAE=, p. 15.
23a. Leaves triangular-heart-shape at base; marsh plants
1a, in =PONTEDERIACEAE=, p. 10.
23b. Leaves not heart-shape at base =COMMELINACEAE=, p. 9.
GROUP 4, DICOTYLEDONES
1a. Foliage leaves all or principally basal; flower-stalk either
completely leafless, or bearing a single pair of opposite leaves
only. Bracts and scale-leaves are not considered foliage leaves --2.
1b. Stem-leaves present on the stem, either one or more in number, and
not limited to a single opposite pair --3.
2a. Leaves compound --7.
2b. Leaves simple --18.
3a. Stem-leaves all or chiefly opposite or whorled (the bracts of the
flower clusters may be alternate) --4.
3b. Stem-leaves all or chiefly alternate --5.
4a. Flowers small and inconspicuous, the perianth none or greenish
or chaffy, and never petal-like in appearance --50.
4b. Flowers with a white or colored petal-like perianth --66.
5a. Flowers small and inconspicuous, without any white or colored
petal-like perianth --118.
5b. Flowers large or small, but with a white or colored petal-like
perianth --6.
6a. Flowers small, not exceeding 3 mm. in length or breadth --144.
6b. Flowers larger, more than 3 mm. in length or breadth --166.
--7--
7a. Leaves twice to three times compound or dissected --8.
7b. Leaves once-compound --11.
8a. Flowers in racemes 2b, in =FUMARIACEAE=, p. 41.
8b. Flowers in umbels --9.
9a. Flowers about 3 mm. wide, white or greenish-white --10.
9b. Flowers 10-20 mm. wide, conspicuous 45b, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 39.
10a. Leaflets 5-15 cm. long 5b, in =ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
10b. Leaflets not over 2 cm. long 16a, in =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 81.
11a. Leaflets 2 3a, in =BERBERIDACEAE=, p. 40.
11b. Leaflets three or more --12.
12a. Leaflets entire or very finely toothed --13.
12b. Leaflets coarsely toothed or lobed --15.
13a. Flowers irregular, in dense head-like umbels
37a, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 61.
13b. Flowers consisting of a greenish or purplish bract wholly or partly
enclosing a fleshy spike 2, in =ARACEAE=, p. 8.
13c. Flowers regular, solitary or in loose clusters --14.
14a. Leaflets reverse heart-shape, not over 2 cm. long
=OXALIDACEAE=, p. 64.
14b. Leaflets 4-10 cm. long 1c, in =GENTIANACEAE=, p. 88.
15a. Flowers with colored or white petals and green or colored sepals
--16.
15b. Flowers with one kind of perianth only (calyx), with broad and
petal-like parts 32, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 38.
15c. Flowers with white petal-like sepals and small inconspicuous petals
38b, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 39.
16a. Petals and sepals each 4 31, in =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 44.
16b. Petals and sepals each 5 or more --17.
17a. Leaves with stipules =ROSACEAE=, p. 51.
17b. Leaves without stipules 23b, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 37.
--18--
18a. Stem-leaves a single opposite pair (basal leaves may also be
present) --19.
18b. Stem-leaves none --23.
19a. Leaves entire --20.
19b. Leaves toothed or lobed --21.
20a. Flowers solitary; leaves broadly kidney-shape
=ARISTOLOCHIACEAE=, p. 25.
20b. Flowers in racemes; leaves linear or lanceolate
=PORTULACACEAE=, p. 34.
21a. Flowers in racemes; petals deeply toothed
23b, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 51.
21b. Flowers solitary or few in a cluster; petals entire or nearly so
--22.
22a. Petals 5 =GERANIACEAE=, p. 64.
22b. Petals 6 or more 2b, in =BERBERIDACEAE=, p. 40.
23a. Flowers or flower-clusters sessile, at or partly beneath the
surface of the ground 4a, in =ARACEAE=, p. 8.
23b. Flowers or flower-heads solitary at the ends of the flower-stalks
--24.
23b. Flowers or flower-heads numerous or several on each flower-stalk
--38.
24a. Flowers yellow --25.
24b. Flowers not yellow --29.
25a. Juice milky 16, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 115.
25b. Juice not milky --26.
26a. Aquatic or mud plants, with large entire leaves 1-4 dm. wide
=NYMPHAEACEAE=, p. 35.
26b. Land plants, with smaller or lobed leaves --27.
27a. Flower-stalk scaly 110, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 122.
27b. Flower-stalk bare or with 1 to 2 minute bracts --28.
28a. Flowers regular 10, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 36.
28b. Flowers irregular, with a spur 3a, in =VIOLACEAE=, p. 75.
29a. Flowers obviously irregular, with a spur --30.
29b. Flowers regular or nearly so, without a spur --31.
30a. Leaves sessile or nearly so; stamens 2
=LENTIBULARIACEAE=, p. 105.
30b. Leaves petioled; stamens 5 =VIOLACEAE=, p. 75.
31a. Flowers 3 mm. wide or smaller; leaves thread-like
16a, in =SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 103.
31b. Flowers 6 mm. wide or larger --32.
32a. Ovary 1 --33.
32b. Ovaries numerous --37.
33a. Leaves lobed or cleft --34.
33b. Leaves entire or toothed --35.
34a. Leaves deeply 2-cleft; stamens 8
3a, in =BERBERIDACEAE=, p. 40.
34b. Leaf 1, palmately lobed; stamens numerous
1a, in =PAPAVERACEAE=, p. 41.
35a. Flowers dull red =ARISTOLOCHIACEAE=, p. 25.
35b. Flowers white or pinkish --36.
36a. Leaves entire; stamens with good anthers 5
13, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 50.
36b. Leaves minutely toothed; stamens 8-10
14a, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 85.
37a. Leaves lobed or divided =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 35.
37b. Leaves crenate or toothed 64a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 56.
--38--
38a. Flowers of the composite type, with several or many small
flowerets closely aggregated into a dense head surrounded by a
calyx-like involucre of small bracts
10, in =COMPOSITAE=. p. 114.
38b. Flowers separate; variously clustered, but never crowded into
involucred heads --39.
39a. Flowers in dense close spikes --40.
39b. Flowers in open loose clusters --42.
40a. Flower-stalk leafless below the spike
=PLANTAGINACEAE=, p. 107.
40b. Flower-stalk with several bracts --41.
41a. Leaves entire 9c, in =ORCHIDACEAE=, p. 16.
41b. Leaves toothed 6a, in =SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 102.
42a. Flowers in umbels --43.
42b. Flowers in racemes, panicles, flat-topped clusters, or merely
1 or 2 --45.
43a. Leaves almost round, peltate, palmately veined
3a, in =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
43b. Leaves at least twice as long as broad, with a single mid-vein
--44.
44a. Stamens 5 =PRIMULACEAE=, p. 87.
44b. Stamens 10 15, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 85.
45a. Leaves cylindrical, hollow, obtuse. 1a, in =LOBELIACEAE=, p. 113.
45b. Leaves beset on the upper side with long glandular hairs; bog plant
with flowers in racemes =DROSERACEAE=, p. 48.
45c. Leaves flat, pubescent or smooth, but not with long glandular hairs
--46.
46a. Sepals and petals each 4 53, in =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 46.
46b. Sepals and petals each 5 --47.
46c. Sepals 6; petals none; flowers minute, green; leaves
frequently lobed at the base 4, in =POLYGONACEAE=, p. 25.
47a. Petals united with each other in an irregular corolla
=LENTIBULARIACEAE=, p. 105.
47b. Petals separate from each other --48.
48a. Stamens 10; style 1 =ERICACEAE=, p. 84.
48b. Stamens 5 or 10; styles 2 =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 49.
48c. Stamens and pistils each very numerous --49.
49a. Flowers white 64a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 56.
49b. Flowers yellow 13a, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 36.
--50--
50a. Leaves compound or deeply lobed --51.
50b. Leaves entire or toothed --54.
51a. Flowers in axillary racemes, spikes, or panicles
=URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
51b. Flowers terminal, or in terminal clusters --52.
52a. Flowers in umbels; leaves palmately compound
=ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
52b. Flowers in racemes or spikes, or solitary --53.
53a. Leaves deeply pinnatifid; swamp plants with flowers in spikes or
solitary =HALORAGIDACEAE=, p. 79.
53b. Leaves lobed, or irregularly pinnately cut or dissected; weedy
plants with flowers in racemes 2, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 114.
54a. Juice milky 3, in =EUPHORBIACEAE=, p. 67.
54b. Juice not milky or colored --55.
55a. Leaves whorled --56.
55b. Leaves all opposite --58.
56a. Aquatic or mud plants with erect stems
2a, in =HALORAGIDACEAE=, p. 79.
56b. Prostrate weedy terrestrial plants =AIZOACEAE=, p. 31.
56c. Erect or ascending terrestrial plants --57.
57a. Leaves more than 2.5 cm. long 4a, in =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
57b. Leaves 2 cm. long or less 3a, in =PRIMULACEAE=, p. 87.
58a. Flowers in terminal or axillary spikes, racemes, or other
clusters --59.
58b. Flowers solitary or few in the axils of the leaves --61.
59a. Leaves less than 5 mm. long 1a, in =GENTIANACEAE=, p. 88.
59b. Leaves more than 2 cm. long --60.
60a. Inflorescence chiefly terminal, panicled
2, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 114.
60b. Inflorescence chiefly axillary =URTICACEAE=, p. 23.
61a. Flowers on long pedicels 2, in =CARYOPHYLLACEAE=, p. 31.
61b. Flowers on short pedicels or sessile --62.
62a. Stem erect, repeatedly branched; leaves linear to oblong
=ILLECEBRACEAE=, p. 31.
62b. Stem decumbent or prostrate --63.
63a. Leaves round, ovate, or kidney-shape, rounded at the base, crenate
or lobed 12a, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 50.
63b. Leaves of a narrower shape, entire, tapering toward the base --64.
64a. Principal leaves 2-3 cm. long 1a, in =ONAGRACEAE=, p. 78.
64b. Principal leaves 1 cm. long or less --65.
65a. Petals present =ELATINACEAE=, p. 74.
65b. Petals none =CALLITRICHACEAE=, p. 68.
--66--
66a. Plants of the composite type, with several or many small
flowerets closely aggregated into a dense head surrounded or
subtended by a calyx-like involucre of small bracts --67.
66b. Flowers solitary or variously clustered, but not in involucred
heads --70.
67a. Involucre of 4 conspicuous white bracts, much larger than the small
flower-cluster 4a, in =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
67b. Involucral bracts green or somewhat colored --68.
68a. Stem more or less prickly =DIPSACACEAE=, p. 112.
68b. Stem and leaves not prickly --69.
69a. Stem square; foliage aromatic when crushed =LABIATAE=, p. 95.
69b. Stem not square; foliage not with the odor of mint
=COMPOSITAE=, p. 113.
70a. The conspicuous portion of the perianth[1] composed of
separate parts --71.
70b. The conspicuous portion of the perianth[1] composed of united
parts --97.
71a. Stem-leaves compound, or cleft to the very base --72.
71b. Stem-leaves simple --78.
72a. Stamens more than 10 in each flower --73.
72b. Stamens 5-10 in each flower --75.
73a. Ovary 1 in each flower 2a, in =PAPAVERACEAE=, p. 41.
73b. Ovaries several in each flower --74.
74a. Leaves pinnately compound 68a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 57.
74b. Leaves palmately compound =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 35.
75a. Stamens 6 31, in =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 44.
75b. Stamens 5 or 10 --76.
76a. Leaflets reverse heart-shape; flowers yellow
=OXALIDACEAE=, p. 64.
76b. Leaflets not reverse heart-shape; flowers white, greenish, or
pink --77.
77a. Flowers greenish or white, about 2 mm. broad =ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
77b. Flowers 5 mm. broad or larger =GERANIACEAE=, p. 64.
78a. Juice milky --79.
78b. Juice not milky --80.
79a. A 3-lobed ovary with 3 short styles visible in some of the flowers
=EUPHORBIACEAE=, p. 66.
79b. Ovaries 2 in the center of each flower (sometimes concealed by
other organs); sepals and petals each 5 --104.
80a. Perianth with one circle of parts only --81.
80b. Each flower with both calyx and corolla --82.
81a. Stem prostrate; flowers only 2 mm. broad =AIZOACEAE=, p. 31.
81b. Stem erect; flowers at least 20 mm. wide 4a, in =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
82a. Petals 2 or 4 --83.
82b. Petals 3 22, in=LILIACEAE=, p. 12.
82c. Petals 5 or 6 --84.
83a. Leaves with 3-5 principal veins =MELASTOMACEAE=, p. 77.
83b. Leaves with 1 principal mid-vein =ONAGRACEAE=, p. 78.
84a. Leaves palmately lobed --85.
84b. Leaves entire or toothed, or with 1-2 small lobes near the
base only --86.
85a. Petals entire or notched at the end =GERANIACEAE=, p. 64.
85b. Petals conspicuously fringed 23b, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 51.
86a. Ovary 1 --87.
86b. Ovaries 2, surrounded and concealed by other organs
=ASCLEPIADACEAE=, p. 90.
86c. Ovaries 4-5 2b, in =CRASSULACEAE=, p. 48.
87a. Leaves dotted with translucent dots (easily seen when the leaf is
held to the light) =HYPERICACEAE=, p. 73.
87b. Leaves not dotted with translucent dots --88.
88a. Leaves only 1-3 mm. long, closely appressed and concealing the
stem 2a, in =CISTACEAE=, p. 74.
88b. Leaves larger, not concealing the stem --89.
89a. Style 1 or none --90.
89b. Styles 2 to 7 --94.
90a. Stamens 5 --91.
90b. Stamens 10 --92.
90c. Stamens neither 5 nor 10 --93.
91a. Flowers blue, sessile in terminal spikes with leaf-like bracts
=LYTHRACEAE=, p. 77.
91b. Flowers not in terminal bracted spikes =PRIMULACEAE=, p. 87.
92a. Leaves entire =LYTHRACEAE=, p. 77.
92b. Leaves toothed or crenate =ERICACEAE=, p. 84.
93a. Flowers irregular; petals 3 =POLYGALACEAE=, p. 65.
93b. Flowers regular; petals 5 or more =LYTHRACEAE=, p. 77.
94a. Sepals 2, partly attached to the ovary =PORTULACACEAE=, p. 34.
94b. Sepals 5, free from the ovary --95.
95a. Stamens 5 --96.
95b. Stamens not 5 =CARYOPHYLLACEAE=, p. 31.
96a. Flowers blue or yellow =LINACEAE=, p. 63.
96b. Flowers white or pinkish =CARYOPHYLLACEAE=, p. 31.
--97--
97a. Perianth with but one circle of floral leaves --98.
97b. Perianth consisting of both calyx and corolla --101.
98a. Flowers small, in dense heads subtended by conspicuous bracts
--99.
98b. Flowers 2-5, in a colored spreading 5-lobed involucre
=NYCTAGINACEAE=, p. 31.
98c. Flowers in various sorts of clusters or solitary, but never in
heads with a conspicuous involucre --100.
99a. Bracts 4, white and conspicuous; stem not thorny
4a, in =CORNACEAE=, p. 83.
99b. Bracts green; stem thorny =DIPSACACEAE=, p. 112.
100a. Stamens 3 =VALERIANACEAE=, p. 111.
100b. Stamens 4 or 5 =RUBIACEAE=, p. 108.
101a. Anthers more numerous than the lobes of the corolla --102.
101b. Anthers just as many as the lobes of the corolla --103.
101c. Anthers fewer than the lobes of the corolla --110.
102a. Leaves simple =POLYGALACEAE=, p. 65.
102b. Leaves compound with 3 leaflets =OXALIDACEAE=, p. 64.
102c. Leaves finely dissected; stems climbing
2a, in =FUMARIACEAE=, p. 41.
103a. Ovaries 2 --104.
103b. Ovary 1, but very deeply 4-lobed, with a single style
=LABIATAE=, p. 95.
103c. Ovary 1, not deeply lobed --105.
104a. Stamens united, surrounding and more or less concealing the
ovaries, and not resembling ordinary stamens
=ASCLEPIADACEAE=, p. 90.
104b. Stamens separate, of ordinary structure =APOCYNACEAE=, p. 90.
105a. Ovary inferior, appearing as a swelling below the calyx at the
apex of the pedicel --106.
105b. Ovary superior, located in the center of the flower --107.
106a. Corolla 3-4-lobed =RUBIACEAE=, p. 108.
106b. Corolla 5-lobed 3b, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 109.
107a. Leaves toothed or deeply cut =VERBENACEAE=, p. 99.
107b. Leaves entire --108.
108a. A stamen in front of the middle of each petal
=PRIMULACEAE=, p. 87.
108b. Stamens located between the petals or lobes of the corolla,
or else so far down in the tubular corolla that their
position is not easily ascertained --109.
109a. Corolla salver-form, with a very slender tube, and abruptly
spreading lobes =POLEMONIACEAE=, p. 92.
109b. Corolla salver-form, with a wide tube and fringed blue petals
=GENTIANACEAE=, p. 88.
109c. Corolla rotate, funnel-form, or bell-shape =GENTIANACEAE=, p. 88.
110a. Ovary deeply 4-lobed, appearing like 4 separate ovaries;
style 1 =LABIATAE=, p. 95.
110b. Ovary not 4-lobed --111.
111a. Stamens 2 --112.
111b. Stamens 3 =VALERIANACEAE=, p. 111.
111c. Stamens 4 --113.
112a. Flowers in dense heads 1a, in =ACANTHACEAE=, p. 107.
112b. Flowers solitary or in loose clusters
=SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 101.
113a. Corolla distinctly 2-lipped and irregular --114.
113b. Corolla not distinctly 2-lipped, its 5 lobes all alike or nearly
so --115.
114a. Calyx 2-lipped; the upper lip with 3 awl-shape teeth, the
lower with 2 short teeth; flowers in slender terminal spikes
=PHRYMACEAE=, p. 107.
114b. Calyx not obviously 2-lipped, its teeth equal or nearly so
=SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 101.
115a. Flowers sessile or nearly so, in spikes --116.
115b. Flowers in nodding pairs at the top of a slender stalk
3a, in =CAPRIFOLIACEAE=, p. 109.
115c. Flowers solitary or in clusters; not in spikes or nodding pairs
--117.
116a. Corolla not over 1 cm. long =VERBENACEAE=, p. 99.
116b. Corolla 1.5 cm. long or more =SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 101.
117a. Calyx-lobes 15-25 mm. long; flowers blue, 3-5 cm. long; calyx
without an obvious tube 2, in =ACANTHACEAE=, p. 107.
117b. Calyx-lobes united below into an obvious calyx-tube
=SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 101.
--118--
118a. Leaves deeply lobed, compound, or dissected --119.
118b. Leaves simple and not deeply lobed --129.
119a. Leaves once-pinnately compound or lobed --120.
119b. Leaves once-palmately compound or lobed --124.
119c. Leaves dissected or 2-3 times compound --125.
120a. Leaves merely lobed --121.
120b. Leaves actually compound --123.
121a. Flowers axillary; marsh or swamp plants =HALORAGIDACEAE=, p. 79.
121b. Flowers in terminal clusters --122.
122a. Stamens 2-6; taste mustard-like 52b, in =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 46.
122b. Stamens 10 or more =RESEDACEAE=, p. 48.
123a. Leaflets entire =LIMNANTHACEAE=, p. 68.
123b. Leaflets serrate 70a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 57.
124a. Flowers solitary 31a, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 38.
124b. Flowers in dense terminal umbels or heads
=UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
124c. Flowers in terminal racemes 2a, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 114.
124d. Flowers in axillary spikes or panicles
9b, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 24.
125a. Leaves merely dissected, not truly compound with distinct leaflets
--126.
125b. Leaves truly compound, with distinct petiolate leaflets --127.
126a. Flowers in axillary clusters =CHENOPODIACEAE=, p. 28.
126b. Flowers in terminal clusters =COMPOSITAE=, p. 113.
127a. Stamens 5; flowers in umbels --128.
127b. Stamens 6; flowers in small clusters
3b, in =BERBERIDACEAE=, p. 40.
127c. Stamens many; flowers in racemes or panicles
=RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 35.
128a. Styles 5 =ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
128b. Styles 2 =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
129a. Flowers in dense cottony heads; plants more or less white-woolly
79, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 120.
129b. Pistillate flowers in an ovoid spiny involucre, ripening into a
bur 3a, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 114.
129c. Flowers minute, subtended by palmately cleft axillary bracts
1a, in =EUPHORBIACEAE=, p. 66.
129d. Plants without any of the preceding characters --130.
130a. Plants with milky or colored juice
10, in =EUPHORBIACEAE=, p. 67.
130b. Plants with tendrils, at least on the upper leaves
4a, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 11.
130c. Plants of nettle-like character, with stinging hairs
8b, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 24.
130d. Plants with sheathing stipules, surrounding the stem above
the base of each leaf =POLYGONACEAE=, p. 25.
130e. Plants with smooth, pale, juicy, almost translucent stems
12a, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 24.
130f. Plants without any of the preceding structures or habits
--131.
131a. Flowers axillary, solitary or in few-flowered clusters --132.
131b. Flowers in terminal, or terminal and axillary clusters --138.
132a. Leaves linear =CHENOPODIACEAE=, p. 28.
132b. Leaves of a broader shape than linear --133.
133a. Flower-clusters with bracts as long as or longer than the flowers
--134.
133b. Flowers without conspicuous bracts --135.
134a. Leaves broadest below the middle 8a, in =URTICACEAE=, p. 24.
134b. Leaves broadest above the middle
2, in =AMARANTHACEAE=, p. 30.
135a. Principal leaves 3 cm. long or more --136.
135b. Principal leaves 2.5 cm. long or less --137.
136a. Flowers nodding in the axils of the leaves
1a, in =VIOLACEAE=, p. 75.
136b. Flowers erect in the axils 2a, in =ONAGRACEAE=, p. 78.
137a. Leaves narrowly oblong 1a, in =HALORAGIDACEAE=, p. 79.
137b. Leaves roundish and somewhat heart-shape
12a, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 50.
138a. Flowers in racemes or simple spikes --139.
138b. Flowers in panicles or other branched clusters --141.
139a. Leaves toothed or lobed 52b, in =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 46.
139b. Leaves entire --140.
140a. Flowers sessile; leaves heart-shape =PIPERACEAE=, p. 19.
140b. Flowers pedicelled; leaves obovate
8b, in =PRIMULACEAE=, p. 87.
141a. Individual flowers distinct from each other, on pedicels --142.
141b. Individual flowers crowded in close clusters, or separate and
sessile --143.
142a. Leaves finely serrate 3b, in =CRASSULACEAE=, p. 49.
142b. Leaves entire 1b, in =CISTACEAE=, p. 74.
143a. Flower-clusters mingled with sharp-pointed bracts
=AMARANTHACEAE=, p. 30.
143b. Flower-clusters without bracts, or (rarely) with bracts which are
not sharp-pointed =CHENOPODIACEAE=, p. 28.
--144--
144a. Juice not milky --145.
144b. Juice milky; apparent flowers consisting of a few white or
colored petal-like bracts, inclosing a few inconspicuous
flowers without petals. In some of them a 3-lobed ovary with
3 styles may be plainly seen =EUPHORBIACEAE=, p. 66.
145a. Plants of the composite type, with several or many small flowerets
closely aggregated into a dense head subtended by a calyx-like
involucre of small bracts --146.
145b. Flowers solitary or in clusters, but not in involucred heads
--147.
146a. Leaves compound with 3 leaflets; stipules present
=LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
146b. Stipules none =COMPOSITAE=, p. 113.
147a. Leaves compound or deeply lobed --148.
147b. Leaves simple and not deeply lobed --154.
148a. Flowers irregular =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
148b. Flowers regular --149.
149a. Petals 3 =LIMNANTHACEAE=, p. 68.
149b. Petals 4 --150.
149c. Petals 5 or more --151.
150a. Stamens 4 70a, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 57.
150b. Stamens 6 =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 42.
150c. Stamens numerous 43, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 39.
151a. Flowers in heads or umbels --152.
151b. Flowers in slender spikes or racemes --153.
152a. Styles 2 =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
152b. Styles 5 =ARALIACEAE=, p. 80.
153a. Leaves ternately compound 43, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 39.
153b. Leaves once-pinnately compound 50b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 55.
154a. Flowers irregular --155.
154b. Flowers regular --156.
155a. Stamens 2 40b, in =SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 104.
155b. Stamens 5 or 10 =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 49.
155c. Stamens 6 or 8 =POLYGALACEAE=, p. 65.
156a. With sheathing stipules surrounding the stem at the base of
each leaf =POLYGONACEAE=, p. 24.
156b. Stipules not encircling the stem, or none --157.
157a. Petals 3 =CISTACEAE=, p. 74.
157b. Petals 4 --158.
157c. Petals 5 --161.
158a. Stamens 2 --159.
158b. Stamens 6 =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 42.
158c. Stamens 8 --160.
159a. Corolla perfectly regular; flowers in terminal clusters without
bracts, becoming racemes; taste peppery
52a, in =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 46.
159b. Corolla slightly irregular; flowers in bracted clusters, or
axillary; taste not peppery 40b, in =SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 104.
160a. Delicate trailing evergreen, with flowers solitary in the
axils and nearly or quite hidden beneath the leaves
22b, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 85.
160b. Erect or nearly so; flowers in terminal clusters
12b, in =ONAGRACEAE=, p. 78.
161a. Leaves sword-shape, finely parallel-veined, with bristly margins
2a, in =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
161b. Leaves not sword-shape --162.
162a. Leaves toothed or lobed --163.
162b. Leaves entire --164.
163a. Stems creeping 2b, in =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
163b. Stems erect or nearly so =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 49.
164a. Flowers in open panicles; leaves principally basal
=SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 49.
164b. Flowers in rounded or flattened clusters; leaves principally
on the stem =SANTALACEAE=, p. 24.
164c. Flowers in racemes, which become elongated at maturity --165.
165a. Foliage glabrous 8b, in =PRIMULACEAE=, p. 87.
165b. Foliage pubescent =BORAGINACEAE=, p. 93.
--166--
166a. Juice milky or colored --167.
166b. Juice watery, not colored --172.
167a. Apparent flowers consisting of a few petal-like bracts, inclosing
a few inconspicuous flowers without petals. In some of them a
3-lobed ovary with 3 styles may be seen
=EUPHORBIACEAE=, p. 66.
167b. Plants of the composite type, with several or many small flowerets
closely aggregated in dense heads subtended by a calyx-like
involucre of small bracts 11, in =COMPOSITAE=, p. 115.
167c. Flowers never aggregated in involucred clusters resembling a
single flower --168.
168a. Corolla very irregular; stamens protruding
=LOBELIACEAE=, p. 113.
168b. Corolla regular --169.
169a. Stamens with ordinary visible anthers; ovary 1 --170.
169b. Stamens so grown together and to the stigma as to be almost
unrecognizable; ovaries 2 =ASCLEPIADACEAE=, p. 90.
170a. Petals separate =PAPAVERACEAE=, p. 41.
170b. Petals united --171.
171a. Stamens attached to the tube of the corolla
=CONVOLVULACEAE=, p. 91.
171b. Stamens attached at the very base of the corolla
=CAMPANULACEAE=, p. 112.
172a. Plants of the composite type, with several or many small
flowerets closely aggregated into dense heads subtended by a
calyx-like involucre of small bracts --173.
172b. Flowers solitary or clustered, but not in involucred heads
--174.
173a. True composites, without a normal calyx =COMPOSITAE=, p. 113.
173b. A normal calyx with each floweret; leaves compound with 3 leaflets
=LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
174a. Flowers irregular, i. e., the conspicuous lobes of the
perianth unlike in size or shape --175.
174b. Flowers regular --185.
175a. Stamens 2 or 4 =SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 101.
175b. Stamens 5 --176.
175c. Stamens 6 --181.
175d. Stamens 8; leaves simple =POLYGALACEAE=, p. 65.
175e. Stamens 10; leaves usually compound =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 58.
175f. Stamens more than 10 --183.
176a. Petals separate --177.
176b. Petals united --179.
177a. Flowers greenish or purplish, in a panicle =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 49.
177b. Flowers white or purplish, in compound umbels
=UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
177c. Flowers solitary, or in few-flowered clusters --178.
178a. Flowers blue, yellow, or white, in spring =VIOLACEAE=, p. 75.
178b. Flowers red-orange or yellow, in summer
=BALSAMINACEAE=, p. 71.
178c. Flowers small and greenish, in spring
1a, in =VIOLACEAE=, p. 75.
179a. Anthers united; stamens protruding from the very irregular corolla
=LOBELIACEAE=, p. 113.
179b. Anthers separate; corolla almost regular --180.
180a. Corolla rotate; some or all filaments hairy
2, in =SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 101.
180b. Corolla funnel-form, dull yellow and purple; filaments not
hairy 12a, in =SOLANACEAE=, p. 101.
180c. Corolla funnel-form, blue or violet; filaments not hairy
7b, in =BORAGINACEAE=, p. 94.
181a. Leaves compound or dissected =FUMARIACEAE=, p. 41.
181b. Leaves simple --182.
182a. Flowers solitary =ARISTOLOCHIACEAE=, p. 25.
182b. Flowers in spikes, heads, or racemes =POLYGALACEAE=, p. 65.
183a. Leaves truly compound --184.
183b. Leaves palmately cleft; flowers 15 mm. wide or larger
6a, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 36.
183c. Leaves irregularly cleft; flowers about 5 mm. wide
=RESEDACEAE=, p. 48.
184a. Petals prolonged backward into hollow spurs
6b, in =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 36.
184b. Petals not prolonged into spurs =CAPPARIDACEAE=, p. 47.
--185--
185a. Perianth consisting of one circle of parts only (usually
considered to be the calyx) --186.
185b. Perianth consisting of both calyx and corolla --192.
186a. Leaves with sheathing stipules encircling the stem above the
base of every leaf =POLYGONACEAE=, p. 25.
186b. Leaves without sheathing stipules --187.
187a. Leaves entire --188.
187b. Leaves toothed, lobed, or compound --190.
188a. Stamens 5 =SANTALACEAE=, p. 24.
188b. Stamens 6 --189.
188c. Stamens 10 =PHYTOLACCACEAE=, p. 30.
189a. Perianth-lobes 3; perianth-tube curved =ARISTOLOCHIACEAE=, p. 25.
189b. Perianth-lobes 6, spreading 4a, in =LILIACEAE=, p. 11.
190a. Stamens 5 =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
190b. Stamens 6 --191.
190c. Stamens more than 6 =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 35.
191a. Climbing plant with heart-shape perianth
2a, in =FUMARIACEAE=, p. 41.
191b. Erect plant, with spreading perianth
3b, in =BERBERIDACEAE=, p. 40.
192a. Corolla composed of united petals --193.
192b. Corolla composed of separate petals --208.
193a. Stamens 2 or 4 =SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 101.
193b. Stamens 3; climbing vines =CUCURBITACEAE=, p. 112.
193c. Stamens 5 --194.
193d. Stamens 6 2a, in =FUMARIACEAE=, p. 41.
193e. Stamens 8 22b, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 85.
193f. Stamens 10 --207.
193g. Stamens very numerous =MALVACEAE=, p. 72.
194a. Ovaries 2; flowers orange-red, in umbels
7a, in =ASCLEPIADACEAE=, p. 91.
194b. Ovary 1, deeply 4-lobed; flowers in racemes
=BORAGINACEAE=, p. 93.
194c. Ovary 1, not deeply lobed --195.
195a. Climbing or scrambling vines --196.
195b. Not climbing or scrambling --198.
196a. Flowers about 1 cm. wide --197.
196b. Flowers 2-8 cm. wide =CONVOLVULACEAE=, p. 91.
197a. Leaves 1 cm. wide or less 2b, in =CAMPANULACEAE=, p. 112.
197b. Leaves 2 cm. wide or more 4a, in =SOLANACEAE=, p. 100.
198a. Flowers solitary, either terminal or axillary --199.
198b. Flowers in terminal clusters --201.
199a. Calyx concealed by 2 bracts =CONVOLVULACEAE=, p. 91.
199b. Calyx not completely concealed by bracts --200.
200a. Ovary inferior, appearing as a swelling below the calyx at
the base of the flower, 3-celled; stigma 3-lobed
=CAMPANULACEAE=, p. 112.
200b. Ovary superior, located in the center of the flower
=SOLANACEAE=, p. 100.
201a. Some or all filaments hairy --202.
201b. Filaments not hairy --203.
202a. Leaves lobed or divided =HYDROPHYLLACEAE=, p. 93.
202b. Leaves not lobed 2, in =SCROPHULARIACEAE=, p. 101.
203a. Anthers close together, longer than the filaments
2, in =SOLANACEAE=, p. 100.
203b. Anthers separate from each other --204.
204a. Leaves compound or very deeply lobed --205.
204b. Leaves simple or with shallow lobes only --206.
205a. Leaf-segments linear or oblong, irregular
=HYDROPHYLLACEAE=, p. 93.
205b. Leaves truly compound with separate leaflets
1a, in =POLEMONIACEAE=, p. 92.
206a. Flowers greenish-yellow =SOLANACEAE=, p. 100.
206b. Flowers blue, violet, white, or intermediate tints
=CAMPANULACEAE=, p. 112.
207a. Leaves simple =ERICACEAE=, p. 84.
207b. Leaves compound =OXALIDACEAE=, p. 64.
--208--
208a. Petals 4 --209.
208b. Petals 5 --212.
208c. Petals 6 or more --227.
209a. Stamens 4 or 8 --210.
209b. Stamens 6, 4 long and 2 short =CRUCIFERAE=, p. 42.
209c. Stamens 9 or more =CAPPARIDACEAE=, p. 47.
210a. Leaves compound =ROSACEAE=, p. 51.
210b. Leaves simple --211.
211a. Ovary 1, inferior, appearing as a swelling below the calyx
=ONAGRACEAE=, p. 78.
211b. Ovaries 4 or 5, in the center of the flower
=CRASSULACEAE=, p. 48.
212a. Stamens with good anthers 5 --213.
212b. Stamens 6 to 10 --217.
212c. Stamens more than 10 --222.
213a. Flowers solitary, terminating the stem
12b, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 50.
213b. Flowers axillary, solitary or in small clusters --214.
213c. Flowers several, in loose irregular terminal clusters; leaves
simple =LINACEAE=, p. 63.
213d. Flowers in slender spike-like racemes; leaves compound
50b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 55.
213e. Flowers in panicles 20a, in =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 50.
213f. Flowers in umbels --216.
214a. Leaves compound 25b, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 60.
214b. Leaves simple --215.
215a. Flowers blue or yellow, erect or spreading =LINACEAE=, p. 63.
215b. Flowers greenish, nodding 1a, in =VIOLACEAE=, p. 75.
216a. Flowers pink or purple =GERANIACEAE=, p. 64.
216b. Flowers yellow or white =UMBELLIFERAE=, p. 80.
217a. Leaves compound with 3 leaflets --218.
217b. Leaves pinnately compound --219.
217c. Leaves deeply palmately lobed =GERANIACEAE=, p. 64.
217d. Leaves simple and not deeply lobed --220.
218a. Leaflets reverse heart-shape; flowers yellow
=OXALIDACEAE=, p. 64.
218b. Leaflets taper-pointed; flowers white or pink
73, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 57.
219a. Leaflets entire 24, in =LEGUMINOSAE=, p. 60.
219b. Leaflets toothed 50b, in =ROSACEAE=, p. 55.
220a. Prostrate plants, with thick, fleshy, entire leaves
3, in =PORTULACACEAE=, p. 34.
220b. Bushy branched plants, with small gray leaves concealing the
stem 2a, in =CISTACEAE=, p. 74.
220c. Erect or spreading plants --221.
221a. Ovary 1, style 1 4a, in =ERICACEAE=, p. 84.
221b. Ovary with 2 distinct styles =SAXIFRAGACEAE=, p. 49.
221c. Ovaries 5; styles 5 =CRASSULACEAE=, p. 48.
222a. Stamens united by their filaments into a tube
=MALVACEAE=, p. 72.
222b. Stamens separate from each other --223.
223a. Leaves with stipules; ovaries more than 1 =ROSACEAE=, p. 51.
223b. Leaves without stipules --224.
224a. Leaves toothed, deeply lobed, or compound
=RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 35.
224b. Leaves entire --225.
225a. Ovaries numerous =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 35.
225b. Ovary 1 --226.
226a. Sepals 2 =PORTULACACEAE=, p. 34.
226b. Sepals 3 or 5 =CISTACEAE=, p. 74.
--227--
227a. Leaves entire =LYTHRACEAE=, p. 77.
227b. Leaves lobed, divided, dissected, or compound --228.
228a. Flowers in slender racemes =RESEDACEAE=, p. 48.
228b. Flowers solitary or clustered, but not in slender racemes
--229.
229a. Stamens 6 3b, in =BERBERIDACEAE=, p. 40.
229b. Stamens numerous =RANUNCULACEAE=, p. 35.
[1] In most flowers the corolla is the conspicuous portion of
the perianth, and is composed of united or separate petals, as the case
may be. In some flowers the corolla is absent, and the calyx is the
conspicuous portion.
THE PLANTS OF MICHIGAN
PINACEAE, the Pine Family
Trees or shrubs, usually evergreen, with needle-like or scale-like
leaves; fruit a cone or berry.
1a. Leaves in clusters of 2-5 --2.
1b. Leaves mostly in clusters of 10 or more, on short lateral wart-like
branches, deciduous each autumn =Tamarack, Larix laricina.=
1c. Leaves not in clusters --4.
2a. Leaves in clusters of 5 =White Pine, Pinus strobus.=
2b. Leaves in clusters of 2 or 3 --3.
3a. Leaves 8-15 cm. long =Norway Pine, Pinus resinosa.=
3b. Leaves 2-4 cm. long =Jack Pine, Pinus banksiana.=
4a. Leaves alternate or scattered --5.
4b. Leaves opposite or whorled --8.
5a. Leaves four-sided --6.
5b. Leaves flattened --7.
6a. Leaves 6-12 mm. long =Black Spruce, Picea mariana.=
6b. Leaves 15-25 mm. long =White Spruce, Picea canadensis.=
7a. Leaves short-stalked, 15 mm. long or less
=Hemlock, Tsuga canadensis.=
7b. Leaves sessile, 15-30 mm. long =Balsam, Abies balsamea.=
8a. Leafy twigs soft and flattened
=White Cedar, Thuja occidentalis.=
8b. Leafy twigs not distinctly flattened --9.
9a. Leaves opposite --10.
9b. Leaves in whorls of three --11.
10a. Erect shrub or tree =Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana.=
10b. Prostrate or spreading shrub
=Creeping Cedar, Juniperus horizontalis.=
11a. Erect shrub or small tree =Juniper, Juniperus communis.=
11b. Spreading or ascending shrub, growing in dense mats
=Low Juniper, Juniperus communis var. depressa.=
TAXACEAE, the Yew Family
Shrubs, with needle-like evergreen leaves; fruit red and berry-like.
One species in Michigan; straggling shrub 1-3 m. high
=Ground Hemlock, Taxus canadensis.=
TYPHACEAE, the Cat-tail Family
Erect plants 1-2 m. high, with linear leaves and terminal spikes of
brown flowers, appearing in summer.
1a. Staminate and pistillate portions of the flower-spike contiguous,
the latter 2.5 cm. in diameter =Common Cat-tail, Typha latifolia.=
1b. Staminate and pistillate portions of the spike separated, the latter
2 cm. or less in diameter
=Narrow-leaved Cat-tail, Typha angustifolia.=
SPARGANIACEAE, the Bur-reed Family
Marsh plants with linear leaves and spherical heads of inconspicuous
greenish flowers, appearing in summer.
About 5 species occur in Michigan, of which the commonest is
=Bur-reed, Sparganium eurycarpum.=
NAJADACEAE, the Pondweed Family
Aquatic plants with submerged or floating leaves and inconspicuous
flowers in summer.
1a. Leaves opposite or whorled --2.
1b. Leaves alternate --2c.
2a. Leaves thread-like, 3-8 cm. long
=Horned Pondweed, Zannichellia palustris.=
2b. Leaves linear, toothed, abruptly dilated at the base, 3 cm.
long or less (Naiad) --3.
2c. Leaves entire, not abruptly dilated at base
[2]=Pondweed, Potamogeton spp.=
3a. Leaves about 2 mm. wide, sharply and coarsely toothed
=Naiad, Naias marina.=
3b. Leaves very narrowly linear, with numerous minute teeth
=Naiad, Naias flexilis.=
[2] About 30 species of Potamogeton occur in Michigan, among
which the most conspicuous is Potamogeton natans, with elliptical
floating leaves. For the identification of the species the Manual must
be used.
JUNCAGINACEAE, the Arrow Grass Family
Marsh plants, with linear cylindrical leaves and inconspicuous flowers
in spikes or racemes, appearing in early summer.
1a. Leaves all basal; flowers numerous in a spike-like raceme (Arrow
Grass) --2.
1b. Stem-leaves present; flowers in a loose bracted raceme (1-3 dm.
high). =Scheuchzeria, Scheuchzeria palustris.=
2a. Fruit (usually to be seen at the base of the raceme) ovoid or
oblong, rounded at the base =Arrow Grass, Triglochin maritima.=
2b. Fruit linear, narrowed at the base (1-5 dm. high)
=Arrow Grass, Triglochin palustris.=
ALISMACEAE, the Water Plantain Family
Marsh plants, with scape-like stems; flowers with 3 green sepals, 3
white petals, 6 or more stamens, and several separate pistils.
1a. Ovaries in a ring; flowers in panicles (2-8 dm. high, summer)
=Water Plantain, Alisma Plantago-aquatica.=
1b. Ovaries in a head; flowers in racemes or umbels --2.
2a. Flowers all perfect, in a single umbel of 2-8 flowers; stamens
9 (leaves lanceolate; 15 cm. high or less; summer)
=Dwarf Water Plantain, Echinodorus tenellus.=
2b. Flowers in a raceme of 3-flowered whorls, the lower pistillate,
the upper staminate; stamens usually more than nine (1-10 dm.
high, summer) (Arrow-head) --3.
3a. Leaves ovate to linear, not sagittate at base --4.
3b. Leaves broad or narrow, sagittate at base --5.
4a. Pistillate (basal) flowers sessile or nearly so (2-8 dm. high,
summer) =Arrow-head, Sagittaria heterophylla.=
4b. Pistillate flowers with obvious pedicels
=Arrow-head, Sagittaria graminea.=
5a. Basal lobes of the leaf conspicuous, triangular, almost or quite as
long as the terminal portion --6.
5b. Basal lobes small, short, linear --4b.
6a. Beak of the achene very short and erect; rare species
=Arrow-head, Sagittaria arifolia.=
6b. Beak of the achene sharp, incurved at right angles to the body;
common species =Arrow-head, Sagittaria latifolia.=
HYDROCHARITACEAE, the Frog's Bit Family
Submerged aquatics, with inconspicuous flowers in summer.
1a. Leaves all from the base, 2 dm. long or more
=Eel Grass, Vallisneria spiralis.=
1b. Leaves on the stem, 2 cm. long or less
=Water-weed, Elodea canadensis.=
GRAMINEAE, the Grass Family
Grasses, with linear or narrow sheathing leaves, and very small flowers
without perianth in the axils of chaffy bracts, appearing in late spring
and summer.
Of the large number (over 150) of grasses in Michigan, only the
commonest are included here, and the student is referred to the Manuals
for a full treatment of them.
Their classification depends chiefly upon the structure and arrangement
of the spikelets. These consist typically of a short axis, the rachilla,
almost or quite concealed by several chaffy bracts. The two lower bracts
are termed glumes, and have no flowers in their axils. Above the glumes
are two or more other bracts, the lemmas. In the axil of each lemma, and
usually concealed by it, is a smaller bract, the palea, and between the
lemma and the palea is a single flower. The number of flowers in a
spikelet is therefore normally equal to the number of lemmas. The
spikelets are grouped in racemes, spikes, or panicles of various size.
1a. Spikelets one-flowered --2.
1b. Spikelets with 2 or more flowers --24.
2a. Spikelets grouped into dense solitary cylindrical spikes --3.
2b. Spikelets arranged in panicles or in panicled spikes --8.
3a. Spikelets without awns or bristles, or with short awns not more than
3 mm. long --4.
3b. Spikelets with awns 2-5 cm. long, terminating the bracts
=Squirrel-tail, Hordeum jubatum.=
3c. Bracts of the spikelet without terminal awns, but the spikelets with
one or more long bristles arising from their base --6.
4a. Spike-like panicle thickened in the middle, more than 1 cm.
thick =Beach Grass, Ammophila arenaria.=
4b. Spike little or not at all thickened in the middle, less than 1
cm. thick --5.
5a. Lower bracts awned; stem erect, unbranched
=Timothy, Phleum pratense.=
5b. Lower scales unawned; stem branched at the base
=Floating Foxtail, Alopecurus geniculatus.=
6a. Bristles 5 or more at the base of each spikelet
=Yellow Foxtail, Setaria glauca.=
6b. Bristles 1-3 at the base of each spikelet --7.
7a. Spikelets about 2 mm. long; bristles not much longer, green
=Green Foxtail, Setaria viridis.=
7b. Spikelets about 3 mm. long; bristles much longer, usually purple
=Millet, Setaria italica.=
8a. Spikelets numerous, in long slender symmetrical spikes --9.
8b. Spikelets in panicles, racemes, or loose spikes --13.
9a. Spikelets without awns; plants 8 dm. high or less (Crab Grass) --10.
9b. Spikelets with awns; plants 12 dm. high or more --12.
10a. Leaf-sheaths all glabrous. =Crab Grass, Digitaria humifusa.=
10b. Lower leaf-sheaths hairy --11.
11a. Axis of the spike flat, with wing-like margins
=Crab Grass, Digitaria sanguinalis.=
11b. Axis of the spike slender, without winged margins
=Crab Grass, Digitaria filiformis.=
12a. Spikes numerous, appressed to the axis of the panicle; tall
marsh grass =Slough Grass, Spartina michauxiana.=
12b. Spikes 2-6, widely divergent; plant of dry ground
=Blue-joint, Andropogon furcatus.=
13a. Spikelets subtended by an ovoid thorny involucre 3-8 mm. wide
=Sand Bur, Cenchrus carolinianus.=
13b. Spikelets without a thorny involucre --14.
14a. Lower branches of the panicle spreading, bearing staminate
flowers, the upper branches erect, with pistillate flowers;
aquatic or marsh grass 2-4 m. high
=Wild Rice, Zizania aquatica.=
14b. Panicle uniform throughout --15.
15a. Spikelets with awns 2 mm. or more long --16.
15b. Spikelets not awned, or with short inconspicuous awns --18.
16a. Spikelets in solitary raceme-like spikes; awn about 1 cm. long
or more =Beard Grass, Andropogon scoparius.=
16b. Spikelets in branching clusters; awn less than 1 cm. long
--17.
17a. Leaf-blade 4 mm. wide or narrower; panicle slender
=Drop-seed, Muhlenbergia schreberi.=
17b. Leaf-blade 6 mm. wide or more; panicle stout and coarse
=Barnyard Grass, Echinochloa crus-galli.=
18a. Spikelet plump and compact, its bracts closely folded about
each other --19.
18b. Spikelet very flat, its two bracts closely folded together
=Cut-grass, Leersia oryzoides.=
18c. Spikelet loose and open, somewhat flattened, its 3 bracts
ascending or spreading and not closely folded about each other
--20.
19a. Panicle about half as long as the entire plant; leaves copiously
hairy =Witch Grass, Panicum capillare.=
19b. Panicle of smaller size
=Panic-grasses, various species of Panicum.=
20a. Panicle strongly contracted or spike-like; plants of
sand-dunes --4a.
20b. Panicle spreading or slightly contracted; axis of the spikelet
beset with bristles; leaves 2 dm. long or more; marsh grass
=Reed Grass, Calamagrostis canadensis.=
20c. Panicle spreading or somewhat contracted, but not spike-like;
axis of the spikelet without bristles --21.
21a. Panicle-branches erect or ascending --22.
21b. Panicle-branches strongly spreading --23.
22a. The two outer scales of the spikelet one-fourth as long as the
third scale, or sometimes one of them absent --17a.
22b. The glumes at least half as long as the lemma
=Wood-grass, Muhlenbergia mexicana.=
23a. The chief lateral branches of the panicle dividing and bearing
flowers below their middle =Red-top, Agrostis alba.=
23b. The chief branches of the panicle dividing only beyond the middle
=Hair Grass, Agrostis hyemalis.=
24a. Spikelets arranged in two rows to form a definite spike --25.
24b. Spikelets in panicles, never in definite rows --29.
25a. Spikelets in a single row on one side of the axis, forming a
one-sided spike =Yard Grass, Eleusine indica.=
25b. Spikelets alternating on opposite sides of the axis, forming a
two-rowed spike --26.
26a. Spikelets in pairs at each joint, forming a dense spike (Wild
Rye) --27.
26b. Spikelets single at each joint, forming a loose, open or
interrupted spike --28.
27a. Glumes lanceolate =Wild Rye, Elymus canadensis.=
27b. Glumes narrowly subulate =Wild Rye, Elymus virginicus.=
28a. Spikelets with their edges toward the axis of the spike
=Rye Grass, Lolium perenne.=
28b. Spikelets with their sides toward the axis of the spike
=Quack Grass, Agropyron repens.=
29a. Glumes longer than the lemmas
=Oats, Avena sativa.=
29b. Glumes shorter than the lemmas --30.
30a. Axis of the spikelet beset with conspicuous long hairs about
equaling the lemmas; tall marsh grass 1-4 m. high
=Reed, Phragmites communis.=
30b. Spikelets without conspicuous long hairs --31.
31a. Spikelets sessile or nearly so, forming crowded or spike-like
panicles --32.
31b. Spikelets distinctly panicled --33.
32a. Spikelets in dense one-sided clusters at the ends of the
panicle branches =Orchard Grass, Dactylis glomerata.=
32b. Spikelets in an erect spike-like cluster
=Prairie June-grass, Koeleria cristata.=
33a. Lemmas, exclusive of the awn when present, 8 mm. long or more --34.
33b. Lemmas, exclusive of the awn when present, 6 mm. long or less
--35.
34a. Awns on the lemmas 12 mm. long or more
=Brome-grass, Bromus tectorum.=
34b. Awns on the lemmas 8 mm. long or less, or none
=Cheat, Bromus secalinus.=
35a. Lemmas with 7 sharp conspicuous veins from base to apex
=Manna Grass, Glyceria nervata.=
35b. Lemmas with 3-5 inconspicuous veins --36.
36a. Spikelets with 5 flowers or more --37.
36b. Spikelets with 2-4 (rarely 5) flowers --40.
37a. Stems tufted and decumbent at base (Love Grass) --38.
37b. Stems erect (Fescue Grass) --39.
38a. Spikelets 1.5 mm. wide =Love Grass, Eragrostis pilosa.=
38b. Spikelets 3 mm. wide =Love Grass, Eragrostis megastachya.=
39a. Lemmas with conspicuous awns =Fescue Grass, Festuca octoflora.=
39b. Lemmas without awns =Fescue Grass, Festuca elatior.=
40a. Tufted annual grass =Spear Grass, Poa annua.=
40b. Perennials, with erect flowering stems --41.
41a. Stems round =Blue Grass, Poa pratensis.=
41b. Stems strongly flattened =Canadian Blue Grass, Poa compressa.=
CYPERACEAE, the Sedge Family
Grass-like or rush-like plants, with linear leaves or leafless, and
inconspicuous flowers in small chaffy spikes.
Over 200 species occur in Michigan, of which only the commonest are
included here. For the remaining species the Manuals should be
consulted.
1a. Spikes all alike --2.
1b. The uppermost spike or spikes wholly staminate, the lower one or
more pistillate; ovary and achene surrounded by a sac, the
perigynium. Mature fruit is necessary for satisfactory
identification (Sedge) --12.
2a. Stems leafless, bearing one or more spikes at or near the top
--3.
2b. Stems leafy --6.
3a. Spike one, terminal and erect (Spike Rush) --4.
3b. Spikes usually more than one, lateral and spreading --5.
4a. Annual, with fibrous roots =Spike Rush, Eleocharis obtusa.=
4b. Perennial, with a running rootstock
=Spike Rush, Eleocharis palustris.=
5a. Stem round =Bulrush, Scirpus validus.=
5b. Stem 3-cornered =Three-square, Scirpus americanus.=
6a. Spikes axillary along the side of the stem
=Dulichium, Dulichium, arundinaceum.=
6b. Spikes terminal --7.
7a. Spikes subtended by long conspicuous leaves which greatly exceed the
flower clusters --8.
7b. Spikes not conspicuously exceeded by the bract-like leaves --10.
8a. Spikes in a dense head-like cluster, white-woolly at maturity
=Cotton Grass, Eriophorum virginicum.=
8b. Spikes not in dense heads, nor white-woolly at maturity --9.
9a. Perennial by a creeping rootstock =Nut Grass, Cyperus esculentus.=
9b. Perennial by hard basal corms =Cyperus, Cyperus strigosus.=
10a. Bracts of the spike chestnut-brown
=Twig Rush, Cladium mariscoides.=
10b. Bracts of the spike green or straw-color (Sedge) --11.
11a. Spikes 3-8, separate =Sedge, Carex straminea.=
11b. Spikes very numerous and densely crowded
=Sedge, Carex vulpinoidea.=
12a. Achenes flattened =Sedge, Carex crinita.=
12b. Achenes 3-angled --13.
13a. Perigynium tipped with a sharp straight 2-toothed beak --14.
13b. Perigynium with a short soft beak --17.
14a. Perigynium thin and papery, loosely enclosing the achene --15.
14b. Perigynium firm, closely enclosing the achene --16.
15a. Perigynium less than 1 cm. long =Sedge, Carex hystericina.=
15b. Perigynium more than 1 cm. long =Sedge, Carex lupulina.=
16a. Perigynium smooth =Sedge, Carex riparia.=
16b. Perigynium hairy =Sedge, Carex filiformis.=
17a. Beak of the perigynium bent abruptly to one side
=Sedge, Carex laxiflora.=
17b. Beak of the perigynium straight
=Sedge, Carex pennsylvanica.=
ARACEAE, the Arum Family
Individual flowers small, but crowded on a fleshy spadix to form a
conspicuous spike, usually surrounded by a green or colored spathe.
1a. Leaves compound --2.
1b. Leaves simple --3.
2a. Leaflets 3, spathe pale green or purple (3-6 dm. high; spring)
=Indian Turnip, Arisaema triphyllum.=
2b. Leaflets 7-11; spathe green; spadix long and slender (3-8 dm.
high; late spring) =Dragon Root, Arisaema dracontium.=
3a. Leaves linear, sword-shape; spathe none (5-15 dm. high; early
summer) =Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus.=
3b. Leaves broader than linear; spathe present --4.
4a. Flower clusters partly underground, appearing in earliest
spring =Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus.=
4b. Flower clusters peduncled, in early summer --5.
5a. Leaves broadly ovate-cordate; spathe white
=Water Arum, Calla palustris.=
5b. Leaves more or less sagittate; spathe green
=Arrow Arum, Peltandra virginica.=
LEMNACEAE, the Duckweed Family
Minute leafless plants floating on quiet water; flowers exceedingly
small and seldom seen.
1a. Plant thick, ovoid, less than 2 mm. long; roots none. Two species
are reported from Michigan =Wolffia spp.=
1b. Plant flattened, with short roots --2.
2a. Roots several from each rounded plant
=Duckweed, Spirodela polyrhiza.=
2b. Root single from each rounded plant =Duckweed, Lemna spp.=
Three species are reported from Michigan, of which the commonest is
Lemna minor.
ERIOCAULACEAE, the Pipewort Family
Bog or marsh herbs, with small flowers in heads terminating long slender
scapes.
One species in Michigan; leaves linear and basal; flower-stalk 5-15 cm.
high; flower-heads whitish or lead-color
=Pipewort, Eriocaulon articulatum.=
XYRIDACEAE, the Yellow-eyed Grass Family
Small herbs with basal leaves and erect flower-stalks bearing a head of
perfect yellow flowers, in summer.
1a. Base of plant bulbous-thickened (3-6 dm. high)
=Yellow-eyed Grass, Xyris flexuosa.=
1b. Base of plant not bulbous-thickened (1-3 dm. high)
=Yellow-eyed Grass, Xyris montana.=
COMMELINACEAE, the Spiderwort Family
Leafy-stemmed herbs; flowers with 3 sepals, 3 petals, and 6 stamens,
lasting but a single day; petals blue.
1a. Stamens 6; petals all equal (Spiderwort) --2.
1b. Perfect stamens 3, sterile stamens 3; two of the petals larger than
the third (3-6 dm. high; summer) =Day-flower, Commelina virginica.=
2a. Sepals villous (3-10 dm. high; late spring)
=Spiderwort, Tradescantia virginiana.=
2b. Sepals glabrous, or with a tuft of hairs at the apex (4-10 dm.
high; late spring) =Spiderwort, Tradescantia reflexa.=
PONTEDERIACEAE, the Pickerel-weed Family
Aquatic herbs, with 6 rather conspicuous petals; flowers in summer.
1a. Flowers blue; leaves cordate-sagittate (3-10 dm. high)
=Pickerel-weed, Pontederia cordata.=
1b. Flowers yellow; leaves linear (submerged)
=Mud Plantain, Heteranthera dubia.=
JUNCACEAE, the Rush Family
Grass-like or rush-like plants, with inconspicuous greenish or brownish
flowers, of 3 chaffy or scale-like sepals and as many similar petals.
1a. Leaf-sheaths closed; capsule 1-celled and 3-seeded; stem or leaves
usually hairy at or near the base (1-4 dm. high). (Wood Rush) --2.
1b. Leaf-sheaths open; capsule many-seeded; plants never hairy --4.
2a. Flowers solitary at the ends of the branches of the umbel-like
cluster (spring) =Wood Rush, Luzula saltuensis.=
2b. Flowers in spikes or dense clusters --3.
3a. Flower-cluster spike-like, nodding at the tip (summer)
=Wood Rush, Luzula spicata.=
3b. Flower-cluster umbel-like (spring)
=Wood Rush, Luzula campestris var. multiflora.=
4. The genus Juncus, or Rush, contains about 25 species in
Michigan, blooming in summer or autumn. For their identification
the Manuals should be consulted. One of the commonest species is
Juncus effusus, growing in marshes, with erect leafless
cylindrical stems, bearing a lateral cluster of flowers near the
summit. Another common species is Juncus tenuis, with slender
stems and linear leaves, growing in hard ground, especially in
woodland paths.
LILIACEAE, the Lily Family
Herbs or twining shrubs, with generally conspicuous flowers; sepals and
petals each 3, and usually colored alike, stamens 6, ovary 3-celled,
superior. In one species the perianth is 4-parted and the stamens are 4.
1a. Flowers or flower-clusters lateral, axillary or apparently so --2.
1b. Flowers or flower-clusters scapose or terminal --12.
2a. Leaves minute and scale-like (7-15 dm. high; flowers
greenish-yellow, June) =Asparagus, Asparagus officinalis.=
2b. Leaves broad and flat, not scale-like --3.
3a. Flowers numerous in rounded umbels; perianth-segments nearly
separate; leaves long-petioled --4.
3b. Flowers in clusters of 1-8; leaves short-petioled, sessile, or
clasping --8.
4a. Stems herbaceous (flowers greenish-yellow, ill-scented)
(Carrion-flower) --5.
4b. Stems woody, thorny, climbing (flowers greenish-yellow, early
summer) (Green Brier) --7.
5a. Stems climbing by tendrils --6.
5b. Stem not climbing; only the upper leaves, or none, with tendrils
=Carrion-flower, Smilax ecirrhata.=
6a. Leaves smooth beneath. =Carrion-flower, Smilax herbacea.=
6b. Leaves minutely pubescent beneath when mature
=Carrion-flower, Smilax herbacea var. pulverulenta.=
7a. Leaves with 5 principal veins. =Green Brier, Smilax rotundifolia.=
7b. Leaves with 7 principal veins. =Green Brier, Smilax hispida.=
8a. Perianth-segments united into a tube (flowers axillary, late
spring) (Solomon's Seal) --9.
8b. Perianth-segments separate (2-8 dm. high; spring)
(Twisted-stalk) --10.
9a. Leaves minutely pubescent beneath; filaments rough, inserted at
three-fourths the length of the perianth (3-8 dm. high)
=Small Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum biflorum.=
9b. Leaves smooth beneath; filaments smooth, inserted at the middle of
the perianth tube (5-15 dm. high)
=Great Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum commutatum.=
10a. Leaves distinctly clasping the stem; flowers greenish-white
=Twisted-stalk, Streptopus amplexifolius.=
10b. Leaves closely sessile; flowers reddish to purple --11.
11a. Rootstock short and thick; berries spherical
=Twisted-stalk, Streptopus roseus.=
11b. Rootstock long and slender; berries 3-angled
=Twisted-stalk, Streptopus longipes.=
12a. Perianth-segments 5-12 cm. long --13.
12b. Perianth-segments shorter than 5 cm. --19.
13a. Leaves all or chiefly basal, stem-leaves bract-like or none --14.
13b. Leaves chiefly or entirely on the stem --15.
14a. Leaves numerous, linear or sword-shape (flowers orange,
summer) =Day Lily, Hemerocallis fulva.=
14b. Leaves a single pair, oblong or lanceolate --21.
15a. Leaves a single whorl of 3 (Wake Robin, Trillium) --22.
15b. Leaves numerous (6-12 dm. high; flowers yellow, orange, or red, in
summer) (Lily) --16.
16a. Flowers erect --17.
16b. Flowers nodding --18.
17a. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, 6-15 mm. wide, mostly whorled
=Wood Lily, Lilium philadelphicum.=
17b. Leaves linear, 5 mm. wide or less, almost all alternate
=Wood Lily, Lilium philadelphicum var. andinum.=
18a. Perianth-segments strongly revolute
=Turk's-cap Lily, Lilium superbum.=
18b. Perianth-segments half-recurved
=Yellow Lily, Lilium canadense.=
19a. Flower solitary --20.
19b. Flowers in clusters, not solitary --31.
20a. Stem with a single pair of basal leaves (Dog's-tooth Violet)
--21.
20b. Stem with a single whorl of 3 leaves (1-3 dm. high; spring)
(Wake Robin, Trillium) --22.
20c. Stem leafy (Bellwort) --29.
21a. Perianth yellow =Dog's-tooth Violet, Erythronium americanum.=
21b. Perianth white, bluish, or pinkish
=Dog's-tooth Violet, Erythronium albidum.=
22a. Flower sessile, red or brown --23.
22b. Flower peduncled, white or pink, rarely red --24.
23a. Leaves sessile, sepals spreading =Wake Robin, Trillium sessile.=
23b. Leaves short-petioled, sepals reflexed
=Wake Robin, Trillium recurvatum.=
24a. Ovary with 6 distinct wing-like angles --25.
24b. Ovary obtusely 3-angled or lobed --28.
25a. Stamens distinctly longer than the pistil --26.
25b. Stamens equaling or shorter than the pistil --27.
26a. Stigmas erect or nearly so, slender
=Wake Robin, Trillium grandiflorum.=
26b. Stigmas strongly recurved or spreading
=Wake Robin, Trillium erectum.=
27a. Filaments about as long as the anthers
=Wake Robin, Trillium cernuum.=
27b. Filaments half as long as the anthers or shorter
=Wake Robin, Trillium declinatum.=
28a. Leaves obtuse; petals obtuse, white
=Dwarf White Trillium, Trillium nivale.=
28b. Leaves acuminate; petals acute, purple-striped at base
=Painted Trillium, Trillium undulatum.=
29a. Leaves sessile (3-6 dm. high; flowers yellow, spring)
=Bellwort, Oakesia sessilifolia.=
29b. Leaves perfoliate (4-6 dm. high; flowers yellow, in spring) --30.
30a. Leaves minutely pubescent beneath
=Bellwort, Uvularia grandiflora.=
30b. Leaves glabrous and all glaucous
=Bellwort, Uvularia perfoliata.=
31a. Stem bearing 2 whorls of 3-9 leaves (3-6 dm. high; flowers pale
yellow, early summer) =Indian Cucumber-root, Medeola virginiana.=
31b. Stem-leaves not whorled, or all leaves basal --32.
32a. Flowers in umbels --33.
32b. Flowers in racemes or panicles --38.
33a. Plant with the odor of onions or garlic (leaves all or chiefly
basal; flower-stalks 2-8 dm. high, late spring or summer) --34.
33b. Plant not with the odor of onions (leaves basal; flower-stalks 2-3
dm. high, with an umbel of 3-6 greenish-yellow flowers in late
spring) =Clintonia, Clintonia borealis.=
34a. Leaves oblong, 2-5 cm. wide, not present when the plants are
in bloom (greenish-white flowers)
=Wild Leek, Allium tricoccum.=
34b. Leaves linear, present with the flowers --35.
35a. Umbel nodding or horizontal (petals rose-color)
=Wild Onion, Allium cernuum.=
35b. Umbel erect --36.
36a. Pedicels longer than the flowers --37.
36b. Pedicels equaling or shorter than the flowers (petals
rose-purple)
=Wild Chives, Allium schoenoprasum var. sibiricum.=
37a. Leaves flattened; flowers pink to white
=Wild Onion, Allium canadense.=
37b. Leaves cylindrical; flowers greenish to purple
=Field Garlic, Allium vineale.=
38a. Leaves lanceolate to ovate, not more than 8 times as long as
broad --39.
38b. Leaves linear or grass-like, at least 12 times as long as
broad --45.
39a. Principal leaves all basal, stem-leaves none or bract-like --40.
39b. Principal leaves on the stem --41.
40a. Flowers in a spike-like raceme (4-10 dm. high; small white
flowers in summer) =Colic-root, Aletris farinosa.=
40b. Flowers in an umbel-like cluster --34b.
41a. Perianth-segments 4 (1-2 dm. high; flowers white, early summer)
=Wild Lily of the Valley, Maianthemum canadense.=
41b. Perianth-segments 6 --42.
42a. Styles 3; flowers dioecious (3-10 dm. high; flowers white,
early summer) =Blazing Star, Chamaelirium luteum.=
42b. Style 1; flowers perfect, white, in spring (False Solomon's
Seal) --43.
43a. Flowers panicled (3-6 dm. high)
=False Solomon's Seal, Smilacina racemosa.=
43b. Flowers racemed --44.
44a. Leaves 2-4, usually 3 (1-2 dm. high)
=False Solomon's Seal, Smilacina trifolia.=
44b. Leaves 5-12 (2-5 dm. high)
=False Solomon's Seal, Smilacina stellata.=
45a. Flowers bright blue; perianth-segments united (2-3 dm. high,
spring) =Grape Hyacinth, Muscari botryoides.=
45b. Flowers blue, greenish, yellowish, or white; perianth-segments
separate --46.
46a. Flowers 1 cm. wide, or smaller (white or greenish, in racemes,
late spring or summer) (False Asphodel) --47.
46b. Flowers 1.5 cm. wide, or larger --48.
47a. Stem glabrous (2 dm. high or less)
=False Asphodel, Tofieldia palustris.=
=False Asphodel, Tofieldia glutinosa.=
47b. Stem viscid-pubescent (1-5 dm. high)
48a. Perianth-segments with 2 glands near the base (3-8 dm. high;
greenish-white panicled flowers in summer)
=Zygadenus, Zygadenus chloranthus.=
48b. Perianth-segments without glands --49.
49a. Plant 3-5 dm. tall; flowers blue or nearly white, in long racemes
(early summer) =Wild Hyacinth, Camassia esculenta.=
49b. Plant 1-3 dm. tall; flowers greenish-white, in short corymb-like
racemes (spring) =Star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum umbellatum.=
DIOSCOREACEAE, the Yam Family
Twining herbs with net-veined leaves and greenish or white flowers in
panicles or racemes.
One species in Michigan; leaves ovate-cordate; flowers in summer
=Wild Yam, Dioscorea villosa.=
AMARYLLIDACEAE, the Amaryllis Family
Plants with linear basal leaves, and perfect flowers, with 6-parted
perianth, inferior ovary, and 6 stamens.
One species in Michigan; 1-2 dm. high; flowers yellow, 1 cm. wide, in
spring =Star Grass, Hypoxis hirsuta.=
IRIDACEAE, the Iris Family
Herbs, with 6-parted perianth, inferior ovary, and 3 stamens.
1a. Flowers blue, 5 cm. wide or larger --2.
1b. Flowers about 1 cm. wide (blue or white, from a spathe terminating a
2-edged stem 2-5 dm. high, spring and early summer) (Blue-eyed
Grass) --3.
2a. Flowering stems 4-8 dm. high (early summer)
=Blue Flag, Iris versicolor.=
2b. Flowering stems 2 dm. or less high (spring)
=Dwarf Iris, Iris lacustris.=
3a. Spathes terminal, sessile --4.
3b. Spathes long-peduncled, axillary --8.
4a. Spathe single --5.
4b. Spathes 2 on each flowering stem --7.
5a. Pedicels much longer than the inner (shorter) bract
=Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium mucronatum.=
5b. Pedicels equaling or barely exceeding the inner bract --6.
6a. Capsule brown; common species
=Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium angustifolium.=
6b. Capsule green or yellowish; rare species
=Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium montanum.=
7a. Leaves folded lengthwise; stems narrowly winged
=Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium hastile.=
7b. Leaves flat; stem broadly winged, 2-3 mm. wide
=Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium albidum.=
8a. Capsules pale straw-color or whitish --9.
8b. Capsules brown, or tinged with purple --10.
9a. Plant with straight fibrous bristles at base; pedicels long-exserted
=Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium farwellii.=
9b. Plants not bristly at base; pedicels barely exserted
=Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium strictum.=
10a. Pedicels scarcely exceeding the inner bract --6a.
10b. Pedicels much exceeding the inner bract --11.
11a. Stem 2-6 mm. wide; bracts 1.5-2 cm. long
=Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium gramineum.=
11b. Stem 1-2 mm. wide; bracts 1-1.5 cm. long
=Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium apiculatum.=
ORCHIDACEAE, the Orchis Family
Herbs, with irregular flowers, one petal, the lip, differing from the
others in size and shape, inferior ovary, and one or two stamens
adherent to the style.
1a. Flowers in a spike-like obviously twisted raceme; small, yellowish
or greenish-white, in late summer and autumn (except 4a) (Ladies'
Tresses) --2.
1b. Flowers solitary or in clusters, but never in a twisted raceme --5.
2a. Flowers in 1 row =Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes gracilis.=
2b. Flowers in several rows --3.
3a. Lip constricted near the apex
=Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes romanzoftiana.=
3b. Lip not constricted --4.
4a. Lip yellow; flowers in spring and early summer
=Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes lucida.=
4b. Lip white =Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes cernua.=
5a. Brown, purple, or yellow plants, without green color, with
scale-like leaves (1-4 dm. high; summer) (Coral Root) --6.
5b. Plants with normal green color --9.
6a. Lip white, not spotted =Coral Root, Corallorrhiza trifida.=
6b. Lip white, spotted with red --7.
7a. Lip distinctly 3-lobed =Coral Root, Corallorrhiza maculata.=
7b. Lip entire, or barely toothed --8.
8a. Flower, exclusive of ovary, 4 mm. long
=Coral Root, Corallorrhiza odontorhiza.=
8b. Flower about 10 mm. long. =Coral Root, Corallorrhiza striata.=
9a. Leaf 1 or none at flowering time --10.
9b. Leaves a single pair, basal, or opposite on the stem; never
alternate on the stem --19.
9c. Leaves several, all basal, prominently net-veined, and frequently
blotched with white (scape 1-4 dm. high; flowers whitish, pubescent,
in summer) (Rattlesnake Plantain) --26.
9d. Leaves 2 or more, on the stem --28.
10a. Foliage leaf absent or undeveloped at flowering time, or
merely persisting through the winter from the previous year
--11.
10b. Foliage leaf present at flowering time --12.
11a. Flower rose-purple, 3-5 cm. long, solitary or two (1-3 dm. high,
early summer) =Arethusa, Arethusa bulbosa.=
11b. Flowers purplish-green, in racemes, with a spur 2 cm. long
=Crane-fly Orchis, Tipularia discolor.=
11c. Flowers yellowish, purple tinged, in racemes; spur none (3-4 dm.
high, early summer). =Putty Root, Aplectrum hyemale.=
12a. Leaf linear or linear-lanceolate --13.
12b. Leaf of a broader shape --14.
13a. Flower solitary or two; leaf just below the flower --11a.
13b. Flowers in a loose raceme, sometimes only 2; leaf basal
=Calopogon, Calopogon pulchellus.=
14a. Flowers greenish, yellowish, or white --15.
14b. Flowers pink to purple, often variegated --17.
15a. Flowers 6-10 mm. wide, with a spur about the same length (1-4 dm.
high, summer) (Rein Orchis) --35.
15b. Flowers 5 mm. wide or less; spur none (1-2 dm. high; summer)
(Adder's Mouth) --16.
16a. Pedicels less than 5 mm. long; lip broadest below the middle
=Adder's Mouth, Microstylis monophyllos.=
16b. Pedicels more than 5 mm. long; lip broadest near the apex
=Adder's Mouth, Microstylis unifolia.=
17a. Flowers spicate; lip distinctly 3-lobed (1-2 dm. high; early
summer) --24.
17b. Flowers solitary or two --18.
18a. Leaf on the stem, lanceolate to ovate --34a.
18b. Leaf basal, round-ovate (2 dm. high or less; early summer)
=Calypso, Calypso bulbosa.=
19a. Leaves opposite and sessile near the middle of the stem (1-3 dm.
high; flowers in summer) (Tway-blade) --20.
19b. Leaves basal --21.
20a. Lip deeply 2-cleft (flowers purplish)
=Tway-blade, Listera cordata.=
20b. Lip wedge-shape, with 2 round shallow lobes (flowers
greenish-yellow) =Tway-blade, Listera convallarioides.=
21a. Lip an inflated sac about 4 cm. long --29d.
21b. Lip not sac-like --22.
22a. Flower with a spur 15-50 mm. long --23.
22b. Flower not spurred (1-2 dm. high; early summer) (Tway-blade)
--25.
23a. Flowers purple or magenta, or with white markings --24.
23b. Flowers greenish, yellowish, or white (1-4 dm. high; summer) (Rein
Orchis) --36.
24a. Leaf 1 (1-2 dm. high; early summer)
=Round-leaved Orchis, Orchis rotundifolia.=
24b. Leaves 2 (-20 cm. high; late spring)
=Showy Orchis, Orchis spectabilis.=
25a. Lip about 10 mm. long, purple =Tway-blade, Liparis liliifolia.=
25b. Lip about 5 mm. long, yellowish-green
=Tway-blade, Liparis loeselii.=
26a. Perianth 8-10 mm. long; lip with elongated point
=Rattlesnake Plantain, Epipactis decipiens.=
26b. Perianth 4-6 mm. long; lip sack-like --27.
27a. Raceme loosely flowered, one-sided
=Rattlesnake Plantain, Epipactis repens var. ophioides.=
27b. Raceme closely flowered, not one-sided
=Rattlesnake Plantain, Epipactis pubescens.=
28a. Lip conspicuously sack-like, inflated (late spring and early
summer) (Lady's Slipper) --29.
28b. Lip not sack-like nor inflated --32.
29a. Lip white (1-3 dm. high)
=White Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium candidum.=
29b. Lip yellow (2-7 dm. high) --30.
29c. Lip white, with crimson or purple markings --31.
29d. Lip pink (1-4 dm. high, late spring)
=Stemless Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium acaule.=
30a. Lip 2-3 cm. long.
=Small Yellow Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium parviflorum.=
30b. Lip 3.5-5 cm. long
=Large Yellow Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens.=
31a. Lip 2 cm. long or less; sepals separate (1.5-3 dm. high)
=Ram's Head Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium arietinum.=
31b. Lip 3 cm. long or more; the 2 lower sepals united
=Showy Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium hirsutum.=
32a. Flowers solitary in the axils, or solitary and terminal; not
spurred --33.
32b. Flowers in terminal racemes, spurred --38.
33a. Leaves a whorl of 5 (2-3 dm. high; petals greenish; late summer)
=Whorled Pogonia, Pogonia verticillata.=
33b. Leaves alternate --34.
34a. Leaves lanceolate or narrowly ovate, 2-8 cm. long, narrowed at
base; flower terminal (1-4 dm. high; flowers pink purple,
early summer) =Snake Mouth, Pogonia ophioglossoides.=
34b. Leaves ovate, 1-2 cm. long, clasping; flowers axillary (5-20
cm. high; flowers purple, summer)
=Nodding Pogonia, Pogonia trianthophora.=
35a. Leaf basal; spur nearly straight
=Rein Orchis, Habenaria obtusata.=
35b. Leaf on the stem; spur strongly curved
=Rein Orchis, Habenaria clavellata.=
36a. Flower-stalk without bracts below the raceme; flowers
yellowish-green =Rein Orchis, Habenaria hookeri.=
36b. Flower-stalk bearing bracts below the raceme; flowers
greenish-white --37.
37a. Spur 15-25 mm. long =Rein Orchis, Habenaria orbiculata.=
37b. Spur 30-50 mm. long =Rein Orchis, Habenaria macrophylla.=
38a. Lip fringed (Fringed Orchis) --43.
38b. Lip not fringed (Rein Orchis) --39.
39a. Lip with 2-3 evident teeth at apex --40.
39b. Lip without apical teeth --41.
40a. Stem-leaves 3 or more =Rein Orchis, Habenaria bracteata.=
40b. Stem-leaves 2 --35b.
41a. Flowers white =Rein Orchis, Habenaria dilatata.=
41b. Flowers greenish-yellow --42.
42a. Lip lanceolate, tapering toward the apex
=Rein Orchis, Habenaria hyperborea.=
42b. Lip oblong, truncate at the apex
=Rein Orchis, Habenaria flava.=
43a. Lip deeply 3-lobed, toothed or fringed --44.
43b. Lip not 3-lobed, but deeply fringed --46.
44a. Flowers purple =Purple Fringed Orchis, Habenaria psycodes.=
44b. Flowers white or nearly so --45.
45a. Spur 3 cm. long or more
=Prairie Fringed Orchis, Habenaria leucophaea.=
45b. Spur 1-1.5 cm. long =Ragged Fringed Orchis, Habenaria lacera.=
46a. Flowers yellow =Yellow Fringed Orchis, Habenaria ciliaris.=
46b. Flowers white
=White Fringed Orchis, Habenaria blephariglottis.=
PIPERACEAE, the Pepper Family
Herbaceous plants with alternate leaves, and flowers without either
calyx or corolla.
One species in Michigan, a marsh plant with heart-shape leaves and
slender racemes of white flowers
=Lizard's Tail, Saururus cernuus.=
SALICACEAE, the Willow Family
Trees or shrubs, with dioecious flowers in catkins.
1a. Leaves less than twice as long as broad, on petioles 3 cm. long or
more --2.
1b. Leaves more than twice as long as broad, on petioles 2.5 cm. long or
less. (The genus Salix, or Willow, contains about 30 species in
Michigan, of which only the commoner are mentioned here. For the
others the Manuals should be consulted.) --8.
2a. Petioles strongly flattened laterally --3.
2b. Petioles not flattened laterally --6.
3a. Leaves broadly ovate or nearly circular --4.
3b. Leaves broadly triangular or deltoid in shape --5.
4a. Leaves coarsely toothed
=Large-toothed Aspen, Populus grandidentata.=
4b. Leaves finely crenulate or serrate
=Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides.=
5a. Tree with narrow spire-shape crown
=Lombardy Poplar, Populus nigra var. italica.=
5b. Tree with spreading crown
=Cottonwood, Populus deltoides.=
6a. Lower side of leaf densely tomentose
=White Poplar, Populus alba.=
6b. Lower side of leaf glabrous or nearly so --7.
7a. Petioles glabrous =Balsam Poplar, Populus balsamifera.=
7b. Petioles ciliate =Balm of Gilead, Populus candicans.=
8a. Trees --9.
8b. Shrubs --13.
9a. Petioles without glands --10.
9b. Petioles with glands --11.
10a. Petiole short (about 5 mm.), broad and flat
=Black Willow, Salix nigra.=
10b. Petiole slender, about 10-20 mm. long
=Peach-leaved Willow, Salix amygdaloides.=
11a. Leaves green beneath
=Crack Willow, Salix fragilis.=
11b. Leaves pale beneath --12.
12a. Branches and twigs conspicuously drooping
=Weeping Willow, Salix babylonica.=
12b. Branches and twigs not conspicuously drooping, yellow
=Yellow Willow, Salix alba var. vitellina.=
13a. Shrubs of bogs --14.
13b. Plants of sand-dunes along the Great Lakes --15.
13c. Plants of dry upland hills --16.
13d. Plants of wet ground, river-banks, and swamps --17.
14a. Leaves densely white-tomentose beneath
=Willow, Salix candida.=
14b. Leaves pale beneath but not tomentose
=Willow, Salix serissima.=
14c. Leaves glabrous and green beneath
=Willow, Salix pedicellaris.=
15a. Leaves linear =Willow, Salix longifolia.=
15b. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, tomentose beneath
=Willow, Salix syrticola.=
15c. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, glabrous
=Willow, Salix glaucophylla.=
16a. Leaves about 3 times as long as broad
=Willow, Salix rostrata.=
16b. Leaves narrower, nearly sessile
=Willow, Salix tristis.=
16c. Leaves narrower, distinctly petioled
=Willow, Salix humilis.=
17a. Leaves linear or nearly so =Willow, Salix longifolia.=
17b. Leaves shining =Willow, Salix lucida.=
17c. Leaves silky =Willow, Salix sericea.=
17d. Leaves not as in the preceding 3 species --18.
18a. Leaves rounded at base =Willow, Salix cordata.=
18b. Leaves acute at base --19.
19a. Leaves finely serrulate =Willow, Salix petiolaris.=
19b. Leaves remotely serrate or nearly entire
=Willow, Salix discolor.=
MYRICACEAE, the Sweet Gale Family
Shrubs, with monoecious or dioecious flowers in catkins, and aromatic
foliage.
1a. Leaves pinnately lobed =Sweet Fern, Myrica asplenifolia.=
1b. Leaves merely serrate --2.
2a. Shrub of sandy soil, shore of Lake Erie
=Bayberry, Myrica carolinensis.=
2b. Shrub of bogs and shores, northern half of state
=Sweet Gale, Myrica gale.=
JUGLANDACEAE, the Walnut Family
Trees with alternate pinnately compound leaves and flowers in catkins.
1a. Leaflets 11-23; pith divided by partitions into chambers --2.
1b. Leaflets 5-11; pith not partitioned (Hickory) --3.
2a. Pith brown; bark with flat longitudinal ridges
=Butternut, Juglans cinerea.=
2b. Pith cream-color; bark of trunk without flat ridges
=Black Walnut, Juglans nigra.=
3a. Bark of the trunk essentially smooth, not deeply furrowed or shaggy
--4.
3b. Bark of the trunk deeply furrowed or shaggy --6.
4a. Leaflets glabrous beneath; buds greenish --5.
4b. Leaflets somewhat pubescent beneath; buds bright yellow
=Bitter Nut, Carya cordiformis.=
5a. Twigs hairy =Small-fruited Hickory, Carya microcarpa.=
5b. Twigs smooth =Pignut Hickory, Carya glabra.=
6a. Twigs and leaves both pubescent --7.
6b. Twigs nearly smooth; leaves smooth beneath
=Shag-bark Hickory, Carya ovata.=
7a. Twigs brownish; buds densely hairy
=Mocker-nut Hickory, Carya alba.=
7b. Twigs orange; buds very slightly hairy
=King-nut Hickory, Carya laciniosa.=
BETULACEAE, the Birch Family
Trees or shrubs with alternate simple leaves and inconspicuous
monoecious flowers, the staminate flowers in catkins, and the pistillate
in catkins or small clusters.
1a. Trees, with white or yellowish bark exfoliating in thin papery
plates or scales --2.
1b. Tree or shrub, with smooth, dark gray bark; trunk fluted with
prominent longitudinal ridges =Hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana.=
1c. Trees or shrubs; the bark more or less roughened, but not
exfoliating; trunk not fluted --3.
2a. Bark white or chalky
=Paper Birch, Betula alba var. papyrifera.=
2b. Bark yellowish =Yellow Birch, Betula lutea.=
3a. Shrubs, with leaves 4 cm. long or less --4.
3b. Shrubs or trees, with leaves 5 cm. long or more --5.
4a. Twigs glandular-warty =Dwarf Birch, Betula glandulosa.=
4b. Twigs not glandular =Swamp Birch, Betula pumila.=
5a. Twigs and bark with the odor of wintergreen
=Sweet Birch, Betula lenta.=
5b. Twigs and bark without odor of wintergreen --6.
6a. Fruit clusters woody, persistent on the plant for a long time
--7.
6b. Fruit clusters herbaceous, dropping in late autumn --9.
7a. Leaves rusty or whitish beneath, and pubescent at least on the veins
=Speckled Alder, Alnus incana.=
7b. Leaves green beneath, and either pubescent or smooth --8.
8a. Leaves broadest at or below the middle
=Mountain Alder, Alnus crispa.=
8b. Leaves broadest above the middle
=Smooth Alder, Alnus rugosa.=
9a. Tree; fruit a cluster of bladder-like sacs each containing a small
achene =Ironwood, Ostrya virginiana.=
9b. Shrubs; fruit a nut within a close-fitting involucre --10.
10a. Involucre of 2 broad bracts, almost separate and not much
longer than the fruit =Hazel, Corylus americana.=
10b. Involucre of united bracts, prolonged into a bristly beak
beyond the fruit =Beaked Hazel, Corylus rostrata.=
FAGACEAE, the Beech Family
Trees (or 1 species shrubby), with alternate simple leaves and
monoecious flowers, the staminate flowers in catkins, and the pistillate
solitary or in small clusters. Fruit a nut (or acorn) enclosed in a cup
or bur.
1a. Leaves serrate with numerous sharp-pointed teeth --2.
1b. Leaves serrate, lobed, or entire, but never serrate with
sharp-pointed teeth; fruit an acorn; pith 5-angled in the young
twigs (Oak) --3.
2a. Bark gray, smooth; buds 3-4 times longer than wide; nut
triangular =Beech, Fagus grandifolia.=
2b. Bark rough; buds relatively thicker; nut rounded
=Chestnut, Castanea dentata.=
3a. Leaves entire, except for a bristle at the tip
=Shingle Oak, Quercus imbricaria.=
3b. Leaves toothed or lobed, the points bristle-tipped --4.
3c. Leaves toothed or lobed, the points without bristles --10.
4a. Leaves entire below the middle, with a few shallow lobes beyond
=Black Jack Oak, Quercus marilandica.=
4b. Leaves deeply lobed throughout --5.
5a. Cup of the acorn saucer-shape, covering less than one-third of the
acorn --6.
5b. Cup of the acorn hemispherical or top-shape, covering one-third or
more of the acorn --8.
6a. Length of the lateral leaf-lobes less than one-third the width
of the leaf; acorn cup 2-2.5 cm. wide
=Red Oak, Quercus rubra.=
6b. Length of the lateral leaf-lobes more than one-third the width
of the leaf --7.
7a. Acorn depressed-globose, about 1 cm. in diameter
=Pin Oak, Quercus palustris.=
7b. Acorn ovoid, 1.5-2 cm. thick =Schneck's Oak, Quercus schneckii.=
8a. Leaves pubescent beneath =Black Oak, Quercus velutina.=
8b. Leaves glabrous beneath --9.
9a. Buds glabrous; inner bark of the trunk yellow
=Hill's Oak, Quercus ellipsoidalis.=
9b. Buds pubescent beyond the middle; inner bark of trunk red
=Scarlet Oak, Quercus coccinea.=
10a. Leaves deeply pinnately lobed --11.
10b. Leaves crenate, dentate, or sinuate, not lobed --12.
11a. Leaf divided nearly to the middle by a pair of deep lateral lobes
near the middle of the leaf; acorn more than half covered by the
cup =Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa.=
11b. Leaf without a median pair of deeper lobes; acorn about one-fourth
covered by the cup =White Oak, Quercus alba.=
12a. Leaves broadest at or near the middle, with numerous (8-13)
sharp coarse teeth on each side
=Yellow Oak, Quercus muhlenbergii.=
12b. Leaves broadest above the middle, with a few shallow, rounded
or subacute teeth (7 or less on each side) --13.
13a. Large tree; leaves densely white-tomentose beneath; acorn on a
stalk 3-10 cm. long =Swamp White Oak, Quercus bicolor.=
13b. Shrub; leaves thinly white-tomentose beneath; acorn sessile or
nearly so =Scrub Oak, Quercus prinoides.=
URTICACEAE, the Nettle Family
Herbs or trees, with small inconspicuous apetalous flowers.
1a. Trees or tall shrubs --2.
1b. Herbs --7.
2a. Leaves oblong-ovate to lanceolate, serrate --3.
2b. Leaves broadly ovate to rotund, some of them lobed (Mulberry)
--6.
3a. Leaves thick, coarsely and doubly serrate, broadest near the middle
(Elm) --4.
3b. Leaves thin, simply serrate, broadest distinctly below the middle
=Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis.=
4a. Some of the branches with flat corky wings; leaves smooth above
=Cork Elm, Ulmus racemosa.=
4b. Branches without corky wings; leaves more or less rough above
--5.
5a. Petioles and axillary buds glabrous =White Elm, Ulmus americana.=
5b. Petioles and axillary buds pubescent with rusty hairs
=Slippery Elm, Ulmus fulva.=
6a. Leaves rough above =Red Mulberry, Morus rubra.=
6b. Leaves smooth above =White Mulberry, Morus alba.=
7a. Leaves alternate --8.
7b. Leaves opposite --9.
8a. Leaves 2-5 cm. long, stems pubescent
=Pellitory, Parietaria pennsylvanica.=
8b. Leaves 8-20 cm. long; stem armed with stinging hairs
=Wood Nettle, Laportea canadensis.=
9a. Twining plant; leaves serrate or cleft =Hop, Humulus lupulus.=
9b. Erect plant; leaves palmately compound =Hemp, Cannabis sativa.=
9c. Erect plants; leaves not lobed or compound --10.
10a. Stems armed with stinging hairs --11.
10b. Stems glabrous or rough, but not with stinging hairs --12.
11a. Leaves ovate, with a heart-shape base
=Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica.=
11b. Leaves lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, not heart-shape at base
=Slender Nettle, Urtica gracilis.=
12a. Stems glabrous, pellucid
=Clearweed, Pilea pumila.=
12b. Stems rough, opaque =False Nettle, Boehmeria cylindrica.=
SANTALACEAE, the Sandalwood Family
Low herbs with alternate entire leaves and terminal clusters of small
greenish-white bell-shape flowers without petals in spring and early
summer.
1a. Inflorescence of several-flowered clusters terminating the stem and
in the upper axils =Toad-flax, Comandra umbellata.=
1b. Inflorescence of axillary clusters of 1-5 flowers
=Toad-flax, Comandra livida.=
LORANTHACEAE, the Mistletoe Family
Parasitic plants, attached to the branches of trees.
One species in Michigan, a dwarf brown plant 5-20 mm. long, with minute
scale-like leaves, growing on the branches of Black Spruce
=Dwarf Mistletoe, Arceuthobium pusillum.=
ARISTOLOCHIACEAE, the Birthwort Family
Flowers greenish-brown or reddish-brown, at or near the ground, with
inferior 6-celled ovary.
1a. Leaves alternate, on the stem; flowers on a basal scaly branch (1-4
dm. high; summer) =Virginia Snakeroot, Aristolochia serpentaria.=
1b. Leaves a single basal pair, bearing 1 short-stalked flower between
them (spring) (Wild Ginger) --2.
2a. Lobes of the perianth ending in a tubular portion 5-8 mm. long
=Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense.=
2b. Lobes of the perianth ending in a tubular portion over 1 cm.
long =Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense var. acuminatum.=
2c. Lobes of the perianth triangular, not tubular at the end
=Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense var. reflexum.=
POLYGONACEAE, the Buckwheat Family
Herbs with alternate entire leaves, stipules surrounding the stem above
the base of each leaf, and small green, white or pink flowers without
petals.
1a. Erect or ascending or prostrate or floating plants --2.
1b. Scrambling or climbing plants, clinging by sharp recurved prickles
on the 4-angled stems (flowers greenish or pink, summer)
(Tear-thumb) --32.
1c. Twining vines (flowers white or greenish, summer) --33.
2a. Sepals 6, the 3 inner ones enlarging in fruit and surrounding
the achenes; flowers in panicles --3.
2b. Sepals 4 or 5 (occasional flowers may be found with 6 sepals,
but the flowers are not in panicles) (summer) --13.
3a. Leaves arrow-shape or halberd-shape, with 2 basal lobes (Sorrel)
--4.
3b. Leaves without basal lobes (Dock) --5.
4a. Leaves halberd-shape, the basal lobes directed sidewise
=Red Sorrel, Rumex acetosella.=
4b. Leaves arrow-shape, the basal lobes directed backward
=Green Sorrel, Rumex acetosa.=
5a. The projecting wings of the fruiting calyx (known as valves) with
sharp slender teeth =Bitter Dock, Rumex obtusifolius.=
5b. Valves entire or finely dentate, but without sharp slender teeth
--6.
6a. Pedicels straight, thickened toward the end, all regularly
deflexed, 3-4 times longer than the fruiting calyx
=Swamp Dock, Rumex verticillatus.=
6b. Pedicels slender, flexuous, spreading --7.
7a. Leaves flat or nearly so --8.
7b. Leaves with strongly crisped or wavy-curled margins; plants usually
of cultivated grounds or waste places (5-10 dm., summer) --12.
8a. With grain-like tubercles on all 3 valves of the fruit --9.
8b. With grain-like tubercles on only one valve, or entirely
lacking --10.
9a. Valves broadly cordate, finely toothed
=Water Dock, Rumex brittanica.=
9b. Valves triangular-ovate, entire or nearly so
=Dock, Rumex mexicanus.=
10a. Valves oblong =Bloody Dock, Rumex sanguineus.=
10b. Valves broadly heart-shape --11.
11a. Grain-like tubercle less than half as long as the valve
=Patience Dock, Rumex patientia.=
11b. Grain-like tubercle more than half as long as the valve
=Tall Dock, Rumex altissimus.=
12a. The grain-like tubercle on the valves of the fruit broadly
ellipsoid, with rounded apex =Sour Dock, Rumex crispus.=
12b. Tubercle ovoid with tapering apex
=Sour Dock, Rumex elongatus.=
13a. Flowers inconspicuous, in small axillary clusters; leaves jointed
at the base (Knotweed) --14.
13b. Flowers more or less conspicuous, in obvious spikes or racemes
which terminate the stems or branches, or arise from the axils of
the upper leaves --18.
14a. Leaves sharply folded lengthwise (1-4 dm. tall)
=Knotweed, Polygonum tenue.=
14b. Leaves flat or nearly so --15.
15a. The small sepals pink or white at the margin (stems prostrate or
ascending) --16.
15b. Sepals greenish or yellowish throughout (stems erect or ascending)
--17.
16a. Leaves thin; common weed of dooryards and gardens
=Knotweed, Polygonum aviculare.=
16b. Leaves thick and fleshy; a plant of sandy shores
=Knotweed, Polygonum aviculare var. littorale.=
17a. Leaves narrowly lanceolate or linear-oblong; rare species
=Knotweed, Polygonum ramosissimum.=
17b. Leaves broadly oblong, oval, or elliptical; common weed of yards
and gardens =Knotweed, Polygonum erectum.=
18a. Leaves broadly triangular (3-7 dm. high; flowers white)
=Buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum.=
18b. Leaves from linear to ovate or oblong --19.
19a. Sepals 4; flowers in very long and slender spike-like racemes (4-10
dm. high) =Knotweed, Polygonum virginianum.=
19b. Sepals 5; flowers in spikes or racemes --20.
20a. Flowers on slender pedicels, forming a loose raceme; leaves
linear, jointed at the base (1-3 dm. high; flowers pink or
white; chiefly near the Great Lakes)
=Jointweed, Polygonella articulata.=
20b. Flowers sessile or nearly so, forming a spike or spike-like
raceme --21.
21a. Stipular sheaths at the base of the leaves ciliate at their upper
margin --22.
21b. Stipular sheaths not ciliate at the upper margin --28.
22a. Sheaths with spreading borders --23.
22b. Sheaths without a spreading border, appressed to the stem
(Smartweed) --24.
23a. Leaves ovate, acuminate; stem erect (1-2 m. high; flowers pink)
=Prince's Feather, Polygonum orientate.=
23b. Leaves oblong, obtuse or subacute; spreading or ascending plant of
wet soil =Water Smartweed, Polygonum amphibium var. hartwrightii.=
24a. Peduncles with glandular hairs (5-15 dm. high)
=Smartweed, Polygonum careyi.=
24b. Peduncles not glandular (1-8 dm. high) (Smartweed) --25.
25a. Sepals beset with minute black dots --26.
25b. Sepals white, pink, or red, not black-dotted --27.
26a. Racemes drooping or nodding at the tip; achene dull-colored
=Smartweed, Polygonum hydropiper.=
26b. Racemes erect; achene smooth and shining
=Smartweed, Polygonum acre.=
27a. Sheaths smooth; leaves usually with a dark spot near the base
=Smartweed, Polygonum persicaria.=
27b. Sheaths hairy; leaves not dark-spotted
=Smartweed, Polygonum hydropiperoides.=
28a. Leaves obtuse or somewhat acute at the apex --29.
28b. Leaves acuminate at the apex (5-15 dm. high; flowers white to
pink) (Smartweed) --30.
29a. Stem unbranched, erect, bearing a single terminal raceme (5-30 cm.
high; flowers pink) =Bistort, Polygonum viviparum.=
29b. Stem branched, submerged in water or creeping on muddy shores
(flowers pink) =Water Smartweed, Polygonum amphibium.=
30a. Raceme single or two; leaves broadly ovate-lanceolate, about 3
times as long as wide =Smartweed, Polygonum muhlenbergii.=
30b. Racemes numerous; leaves lanceolate, 4-6 times as long as wide
--31.
31a. Racemes drooping or nodding at the tip
=Smartweed, Polygonum lapathifolium.=
31b. Racemes erect =Smartweed, Polygonum pennsylvanicum.=
32a. Leaves arrow-shape, the basal lobes pointing backward
=Tear-thumb, Polygonum sagittatum.=
32b. Leaves halberd-shape, the basal lobes pointing sidewise
=Tear-thumb, Polygonum arifolium.=
33a. The three outer sepals becoming conspicuously winged in fruit
(False Buckwheat) --34.
33b. The sepals all unchanged in fruit, except in size (Black Bindweed)
--35.
34a. Wings of the fruit with wavy-curled margins
=False Buckwheat, Polygonum scandens.=
34b. Wings of the fruit flat
=False Buckwheat, Polygonum dumetorum.=
35a. Leaf-sheaths with a ring of bristles at the base
=Black Bindweed, Polygonum cilinode.=
35b. Leaf-sheaths without a ring of bristles
=Black Bindweed, Polygonum convolvulus.=
CHENOPODIACEAE, the Goosefoot Family
Herbs, with inconspicuous greenish or reddish flowers without petals, in
summer.
1a. Leaves linear or nearly so, entire --2.
1b. Leaves of a broader shape, usually toothed or lobed --5.
2a. Leaves rather stiff, narrowly linear or thread-like, with
spine-like tips
=Russian Thistle, Salsola kali var. tenuifolia.=
2b. Leaves soft, not spine-like --3.
3a. Widely branched, rather diffuse, 1-5 dm. tall; plant of the shore of
the Great Lakes =Bug-seed, Corispermum hyssopifolium.=
3b. Erect plants with ascending branches --4.
4a. Leaves glabrous (3-6 dm. tall)
=Goosefoot, Chenopodium leptophyllum.=
4b. Leaves minutely ciliate on the margin (bushy branched, 5-10 dm.
tall) =Kochia, Kochia scoparia.=
5a. Principal leaves with a broad truncate, rounded, or hastate base
--6.
5b. Principal leaves narrowed to the base --12.
6a. Leaves broadly ovate, with 1-4 large sharp projecting teeth on
each side =Goosefoot, Chenopodium hybridum.=
6b. Leaves hastate or triangular-ovate, entire or with many teeth
--7.
7a. Leaves entire or merely undulate --8.
7b. Leaves sharply or sinuately toothed --9.
8a. Stem erect, simple or sparingly branched
=Good King Henry, Chenopodium bonus-henricus.=
8b. Stem diffuse or ascending, freely branched
=Orache, Atriplex patula.=
9a. Flowers in small heads, in the axils or in terminal spikes; leaves
sinuately toothed or nearly entire
=Strawberry Blite, Chenopodium capitatum.=
9b. Flowers in terminal panicles; leaves sharply toothed (Goosefoot)
--10.
10a. Panicles short, not as long as the subtending leaves
=Goosefoot, Chenopodium murale.=
10b. Panicles long, exceeding the subtending leaves --11.
11a. Calyx green =Goosefoot, Chenopodium urbicum.=
11b. Calyx red =Goosefoot, Chenopodium rubrum.=
12a. Foliage glandular and strongly aromatic --13.
12b. Foliage not glandular nor aromatic; sometimes ill-scented
--15.
13a. Flowers in large loose open spreading panicles; leaves deeply
pinnatifid =Jerusalem Oak, Chenopodium botrys.=
13b. Flowers clustered in slender axillary or terminal spikes --14.
14a. Spikes dense, leafy =Mexican Tea, Chenopodium ambrosioides.=
14b. Spikes open, nearly leafless
=Wormseed, Chenopodium ambrosioides var. anthelminticum.=
15a. Stem erect, 5-20 dm. tall; leaves frequently white-mealy
=Lamb's Quarters, Chenopodium album.=
15b. Stem prostrate or ascending, succulent; leaves glaucous-white
beneath =Goosefoot, Chenopodium glaucum.=
15c. Stem widely and diffusely branched; leaves green, soon deciduous
=Cycloloma, Cycloloma atriplicifolium.=
AMARANTHACEAE, the Amaranth Family
Herbs, with alternate leaves, and inconspicuous greenish or reddish
flowers without petals, which are axillary or in dense clusters,
blooming in summer.
1a. Flower-clusters axillary --2.
1b. Flower-clusters in terminal spikes or panicles, sometimes also
axillary --3.
2a. Plant prostrate or decumbent; seed about 1.5 mm. broad
=Pigweed, Amaranthus blitoides.=
2b. Plant erect or ascending, widely branched; seeds about 1 mm.
broad (3-10 dm. high) =Tumble Weed, Amaranthus graecizans.=
3a. Principal leaves with a pair of spines at their base
=Thorny Amaranth, Amaranthus spinosus.=
3b. Spines none at the base of the leaves --4.
4a. Weedy plants of cultivated or waste ground; flowers monoecious
or polygamous; pistillate flowers with a calyx (Pigweed) --5.
4b. Plants of swamps or stream-banks; flowers dioecious; pistillate
flowers without calyx (Water Hemp) --7.
5a. Spikes short, 1-8 cm. long, crowded in dense ovoid panicles; the
terminal spike not conspicuously elongated beyond the appressed or
ascending lower ones =Pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus.=
5b. Spikes slender, 1-12 cm. long; the terminal spike greatly exceeding
the short inconspicuous divergent lower ones --6.
6a. Bracts subulate, sharply awned =Pigweed, Amaranthus hybridus.=
6b. Bracts merely acuminate =Pigweed, Amaranthus paniculatus.=
7a. Flowers in leafy spikes, or the lower in separate clusters
=Water Hemp, Acnida tuberculata.=
7b. Flowers in separate distinct clusters
=Water Hemp, Acnida tuberculata var. subnuda.=
PHYTOLACCACEAE, the Pokeweed Family
Herbs with alternate entire leaves, small flowers without petals, and a
many-celled ovary.
One species in Michigan, 1-2 m. high, with numerous racemes of whitish
flowers, in late summer, followed by dark-purple berries
=Pokeweed, Phytolacca decandra.=
NYCTAGINACEAE, the Four-o'Clock Family
Herbs, with opposite entire leaves and flowers in small clusters
surrounded by a broad open calyx-like involucre; the true calyx colored
like a corolla; petals none (4-8 dm. high; flowers purple, in summer).
1a. Leaves lanceolate or narrower, sessile
=Umbrella-wort, Oxybaphus hirsutus.=
1b. Leaves ovate, petioled
=Umbrella-wort, Oxybaphus nyctagineus.=
ILLECEBRACEAE, the Knotwort Family
Herbs, with opposite entire leaves, and minute flowers without petals.
(Prostrate spreading or freely branched plants, 3 dm. high or less;
flowers in summer.)
1a. Stipules none; leaves slightly connate at base, subulate
=Knawel, Scleranthus annuus.=
1b. Stipules present, but small; leaves elliptical or oval (Forked
Chickweed) --2.
2a. Stems pubescent; internodes seldom more than 1 cm. long
=Forked Chickweed, Anychia polygonoides.=
2b. Stems smooth; internodes about 2 cm. long
=Forked Chickweed, Anychia canadensis.=
AIZOACEAE, the Carpet-weed Family
Prostrate herbs, with whorled leaves and small whitish axillary flowers
without petals, in summer.
One species in Michigan =Carpet-weed, Mollugo verticillata.=
CARYOPHYLLACEAE, the Pink Family
Herbs, with opposite or whorled entire leaves, and stems frequently
swollen at the nodes. Sepals 4 or 5; petals separate, as many as the
sepals, or rarely none; stamens twice as many as the petals in plants
with conspicuous flowers, sometimes fewer in those with small flowers;
ovary 1-celled, with the ovules on a central axis, and with 2-5 styles.
1a. Calyx spreading, of separate sepals; flowers 15 mm. wide or less;
petals sometimes none --2.
1b. Calyx tubular, of united sepals; flowers in many species more than
15 mm. wide; petals always present --22.
2a. Stipules present --3.
2b. Stipules none --4.
3a. Leaves opposite; flowers pink (about 1 dm. high; summer)
=Sand Spurrey, Spergularia rubra.=
3b. Leaves whorled; flowers white (1-5 dm. high; leaves linear; summer)
=Spurrey, Spergula arvensis.=
4a. Leaves subulate or thread-like --5.
4b. Leaves linear to ovate --7.
5a. Leaves opposite (1 dm. high or less; flowers white, summer)
=Pearlwort, Sagina procumbens.=
5b. Leaves fascicled in the axils --6.
6a. Styles 4 or 5 (1 dm. high; terminal white flowers 5 mm. wide,
in summer) =Pearlwort, Sagina nodosa.=
6b. Styles 3 (1-4 dm. high; flowers white, nearly 1 cm. wide,
summer) =Stitchwort, Arenaria stricta.=
7a. Petals entire (3 dm. high or less; flowers white, in summer)
(Stitchwort) --8.
7b. Petals notched or 2-cleft at the end, or none --11.
8a. Principal leaves 1 cm. long or less --9.
8b. Principal leaves 1.5 cm. long or more --10.
9a. Petals half as long as the sepals
=Stitchwort, Arenaria leptoclados.=
9b. Petals almost as long as the sepals
=Stitchwort, Arenaria serpyllifolia.=
10a. Leaves oblong-oval, obtuse. =Stitchwort, Arenaria lateriflora.=
10b. Leaves lanceolate, acute. =Stitchwort, Arenaria macrophylla.=
11a. Capsule splitting by valves at maturity; styles usually 3
(Chickweed) --12.
11b. Capsule opening by terminal teeth at maturity; styles usually 5
(tufted or matted plants, 1-5 dm. high; flowers white, in spring
and summer) (Mouse-ear Chickweed) --18.
12a. Petals distinctly shorter than the sepals, or none --13.
12b. Petals as long as the sepals, or longer --15.
13a. Leaves ovate (1-3 dm. high; flowers white, all summer)
=Chickweed, Stellaria media.=
13b. Leaves lanceolate to oblong (in water or wet places, 1-4 dm. high;
flowers white, in summer) --14.
14a. Flowers in a leafy terminal branching cluster
=Chickweed, Stellaria borealis.=
14b. Flowers in a lateral cluster with minute bracts
=Chickweed, Stellaria uliginosa.=
15a. Flowers in clusters with leaf-like bracts, or axillary and solitary
(in water or wet places; 1-3 dm. high; flowers white, summer)
=Chickweed, Stellaria crassifolia.=
15b. Flowers in clusters with scale-like bracts --16.
16a. Leaves distinctly linear; cymes lateral; a common species in
marshes (2-5 dm. high; flowers white, early summer)
=Chickweed, Stellaria longifolia.=
16b. Leaves distinctly broadest near the base; flower-cluster
terminal --17.
17a. Pedicels erect; clusters usually few-flowered; in extreme northern
part of the state only (1-3 dm. high; flowers white, summer)
=Chickweed, Stellaria longipes.=
17b. Pedicels spreading; clusters open, many-flowered (2-6 dm. high;
flowers white, in summer) =Chickweed, Stellaria graminea.=
18a. Petals distinctly longer than the sepals --19.
18b. Petals as long as the sepals, or shorter than them --21.
19a. Flowers much less than 1 cm. wide
=Mouse-ear Chickweed, Cerastium nutans.=
19b. Flowers more than 1 cm. wide --20.
20a. Stem-leaves linear or narrowly lanceolate
=Mouse-ear Chickweed, Cerastium arvense.=
20b. Stem-leaves oblong
=Mouse-ear Chickweed, Cerastium arvense var. oblongifolium.=
21a. Bracts green; pedicels short and inflorescence crowded
=Mouse-ear Chickweed, Cerastium viscosum.=
21b. Bracts with transparent white margins; pedicels longer than the
calyx and inflorescence open
=Mouse-ear Chickweed, Cerastium vulgatum.=
22a. Styles 5 --23.
22b. Styles 3 (3-10 dm. high; flowers in summer) --25.
22c. Styles 2 --29.
23a. Calyx-teeth much longer than the calyx-tube (erect, 4-10 dm. high;
flowers large, red, late summer)
=Corn Cockle, Agrostemma githago.=
23b. Calyx-teeth shorter than the calyx-tube (4-10 dm. high; flowers in
summer) --24.
24a. Flowers crimson =Mullein Pink, Lychnis coronaria.=
24b. Flowers white or pink =White Campion, Lychnis alba.=
25a. Flowers night-blooming, always wilted during the day
=Catchfly, Silene noctiflora.=
25b. Flowers open during the day --26.
26a. Flowers 6 mm. wide or less, white or pink
=Catchfly, Silene antirrhina.=
26b. Flowers 1-2 cm. wide, white to pink or purple --27.
26c. Flowers 2 cm. wide or more, crimson
=Fire Pink, Silene virginica.=
27a. Principal leaves in whorls of 4
=Starry Campion, Silene stellata.=
27b. Leaves opposite --28.
28a. Calyx globular, much inflated or bladder-like
=Bladder Campion, Silene latifolia.=
28b. Calyx club-shape, not inflated
=Sweet William Catchfly, Silene armeria.=
29a. Leaves linear or narrowly lanceolate, 5 mm. wide or less (flowers
pink or white, in summer) --30.
29b. Leaves lanceolate or ovate (flowers pink, white, or red, in summer)
--32.
30a. Flowers in terminal clusters; leaves hairy (2-4 dm. high)
=Deptford Pink, Dianthus armeria.=
30b. Flowers solitary at the ends of long pedicels --31.
31a. Flowers 3-4 mm. wide (1-2 dm. high)
=Gypsophyll, Gypsophila muralis.=
31b. Flowers 1 cm. wide or more (1-5 dm. high)
=Meadow Pink, Dianthus deltoides.=
32a. Flowers less than 1 cm. broad --33.
32b. Flowers more than 1 cm. broad --34.
33a. Flowers white, in large panicles (4-7 dm. high)
=Baby's Breath, Gypsophila paniculata.=
33b. Flowers pale red, in loose clusters (4-10 dm. high)
=Cowherb, Saponaria vaccaria.=
34a. Leaves with 3-5 prominent veins (4-7 dm. high)
=Soapwort, Saponaria officinalis.=
34b. Leaves with one mid-vein (3-6 dm. high)
=Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus.=
PORTULACACEAE, the Purslane Family
Herbs with opposite or alternate leaves and regular flowers with 2
sepals, 5 petals, and a 1-celled ovary with 2 or 3 styles.
1a. Leaves a single pair on each stem (1-2 dm. high; flowers pink, in
racemes in early spring) (Spring Beauty) --2.
1b. Leaves numerous (prostrate or spreading; flowers in summer) --3.
2a. Leaves lance-ovate to oblong, not more than six times as long
as wide =Spring Beauty, Claytonia caroliniana.=
2b. Leaves linear or linear-lanceolate, more than six times as long
as wide =Spring Beauty, Claytonia virginica.=
3a. Flowers yellow, about 5 mm. wide =Purslane, Portulaca oleracea.=
3b. Flowers 2-5 cm. wide =Portulaca, Portulaca grandiflora.=
CERATOPHYLLACEAE, the Hornwort Family
Submerged aquatics, with whorled, finely dissected leaves and
inconspicuous flowers with neither calyx nor corolla.
One species in Michigan =Hornwort, Ceratophyllum demersum.=
NYMPHAEACEAE, the Water Lily Family
Aquatic plants, with usually large and floating leaves which are round
or elliptical and palmately veined.
1a. Floating and emersed leaves centrally peltate --2.
1b. Leaves rounded but not peltate, with a deep sinus --3.
2a. Leaves round, 3 dm. in diameter or more; flowers very large,
pale yellow =Lotus, Nelumbo lutea.=
2b. Leaves oval, 5-15 cm. long; flowers small, purple
=Water Shield, Brasenia schreberi.=
3a. Flowers yellow (Pond Lily) --4.
3b. Flowers white or tinged with pink (Water Lily) --5.
4a. Leaves more than 1 dm. long =Pond Lily, Nymphaea advena.=
4b. Leaves less than 1 dm. long =Pond Lily, Nymphaea microphylla.=
5a. Flowers very fragrant; leaves purplish beneath
=Water Lily, Castalia odorata.=
5b. Flowers not fragrant; leaves green beneath
=Water Lily, Castalia tuberosa.=
RANUNCULACEAE, the Crowfoot Family
Herbs with alternate (rarely opposite) leaves, acrid watery juice,
separate sepals and petals, numerous stamens, and several or many
(rarely only 1) simple pistils. Petals present or absent, in the latter
case the sepals are usually petal-like in appearance.
1a. Climbing plants with opposite leaves (flowers in late summer)
(Virgin's Bower) --2.
1b. Aquatic plants with dissected submerged leaves (flowers in late
spring and summer) (Water Crowfoot) --3.
1c. Terrestrial or mud plants, not agreeing with 1a or 1b --6.
2a. Flowers white, 2-3 cm. wide
=Virgin's Bower, Clematis virginiana.=
2b. Flowers pink-purple, 5-8 cm. wide
=Virgin's Bower, Clematis verticillaris.=
3a. Flowers white --4.
3b. Flowers yellow --5.
4a. Leaves rigid, not collapsing when removed from the water
=Water Crowfoot, Ranunculus circinatus.=
4b. Leaves soft, collapsing when removed from the water
=Water Crowfoot, Ranunculus aquatilis var. capillaceus.=
5a. Submerged leaves divided into hair-like segments
=Water Crowfoot, Ranunculus delphinifolius.=
5b. Submerged leaves palmately divided into linear lobes
=Water Crowfoot, Ranunculus purshii.=
6a. Flowers blue, irregular, with one spur (4-8 dm. high, summer)
=Larkspur, Delphinium ajacis.=
6b. The five petals each prolonged into a spur; flowers showy (4-8
dm. tall) (Columbine) --7.
6c. Flowers regular, without spurs --8.
7a. Spurs nearly straight; flowers scarlet and yellow (spring)
=Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis.=
7b. Spurs strongly incurved; flowers blue or white (spring, early
summer) =Columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris.=
8a. Flowers yellow --9.
8b. Flowers of various colors, but never yellow --28.
9a. Petals none; sepals petal-like; leaves crenate or dentate (2-4 dm.
high, flowers in early spring) =Cowslip, Caltha palustris.=
9b. Petals small; sepals petal-like; leaves deeply palmately lobed (4-6
dm. tall; flowers in late spring) =Globe-flower, Trollius laxus.=
9c. Petals yellow; sepals green or yellowish --10.
10a. Leaves linear to narrowly oblong, entire or with minute teeth
(flowers 10-15 mm. wide, in summer) --11.
10b. Leaves broader, some or all of them lobed or divided, or
cordate-ovate and not lobed --12.
11a. Stems ascending (4-8 dm. high), rooting at the lower joints; fruits
pointed with a long slender beak
=Spearwort, Ranunculus laxicaulis.=
11b. Stems prostrate and trailing, rooting at the joints; fruits tipped
with a minute short beak
=Spearwort, Ranunculus flammula var. reptans.=
12a. Basal leaves, or most of them, merely serrate or crenate, and
not obviously lobed --13.
12b. All the leaves lobed or divided --16.
13a. Stem-leaves resembling the basal ones, and not lobed (1-2 dm. high;
summer) =Sea-side Crowfoot, Ranunculus cymbalaria.=
13b. Stem-leaves deeply divided into oblong or linear segments --14.
14a. Flowers 1.5 cm. wide or more (1-3 dm. high; spring)
=Buttercup, Ranunculus rhomboideus.=
14b. Flowers 1 cm. wide or less (2-5 dm. high; spring) --15.
15a. Foliage glabrous or minutely pubescent; basal leaves cordate
=Small-flowered Crowfoot, Ranunculus abortivus.=
15b. Foliage villous; basal leaves barely cordate or not at all
=Small-flowered Crowfoot, Ranunculus micranthus.=
16a. Stem erect or essentially so --17.
16b. Stem prostrate, creeping, or ascending. Early in spring
stems may be found which appear almost erect. Common
spring-flowering buttercups are all classified here --22.
17a. Flowers 2 cm. broad or larger (Buttercup) --18.
17b. Flowers 1 cm. broad or smaller --19.
18a. Terminal lobe of leaf stalked (2-5 dm. high, early summer)
=Buttercup, Ranunculus bulbosus.=
18b. Terminal lobe of leaf sessile (5-10 dm. high; all summer)
=Buttercup, Ranunculus acris.=
19a. Plant glabrous, succulent; stem hollow (1-5 dm. high; spring and
summer) =Cursed Crowfoot, Ranunculus sceleratus.=
19b. Plant pubescent (Buttercup) --20.
20a. Fruits tipped with a prominent recurved beak; plant of shady
woods (2-6 dm. high; flowers in late spring)
=Buttercup, Ranunculus recurvatus.=
20b. Fruits tipped with a straight or slightly curved beak; plants
of marshes or wet soil (3-6 dm. high; flowers in summer) --21.
21a. Fruits in a short-cylindric head on a conical receptacle
=Buttercup, Ranunculus pennsylvanicus.=
21b. Fruits in a globose or short-ovoid head, on an obovoid receptacle
=Buttercup, Ranunculus macounii.=
22a. Leaves dissected into numerous linear or narrowly wedge-shape
divisions; plants growing in water or very wet places (late
spring and summer)
=Water Crowfoot, Ranunculus delphinifolius.=
22b. Leaves palmately lobed, the terminal division not definitely
stalked --23.
22c. Leaves compound, some or all of the divisions on definite
stalks (Buttercup) --24.
23a. Stem-leaves numerous (1-2 dm. tall; late spring and summer)
=Crowfoot, Ranunculus purshii.=
23b. Stem-leaves one or none, the principal leaves all basal (about 1
dm. high; flowers in summer) =Buttercup, Ranunculus lapponicus.=
24a. Style short, obviously curved --25.
24b. Style long and slender, straight or nearly so (common
spring-flowering buttercups, 2-5 dm. high) --26.
25a. Stems creeping; flowers 2 cm. wide or more (spring)
=Buttercup, Ranunculus repens.=
25b. Stems ascending; flowers 1.5 cm. wide or less (3-6 dm. high;
summer) =Buttercup, Ranunculus macounii.=
26a. The two lateral divisions of the leaf sessile or nearly so
=Buttercup, Ranunculus fascicularis.=
26b. The two lateral divisions of the leaf on long stalks --27.
27a. Roots fibrous; plants of wet soil
=Buttercup, Ranunculus septentrionalis.=
27b. Roots thickened; plants of dry woods or thickets
=Buttercup, Ranunculus hispidus.=
28a. Leaves dissected into numerous narrowly linear acute divisions
(4-7 dm. high; flowers large, bluish, in summer)
=Love-in-a-mist, Nigella damascena.=
28b. Leaves lobed or divided, but the divisions not separated by
definite stalks --29.
28c. Leaves truly compound, all their divisions separated by
distinct stalks --39.
29a. Leaves all basal, their lobes (usually 3) entire (1-2 dm. high;
flowers pink-purple, in earliest spring) (Hepatica) --30.
29b. Lobes of the leaf serrate or incised --31.
30a. Lobes of the leaf obtuse or rounded
=Hepatica, Hepatica triloba.=
30b. Lobes of the leaf acute =Hepatica, Hepatica acutiloba.=
31a. Petals none; sepals 3, usually falling away as soon as the flower
opens (2-4 dm. high; flowers greenish-white, in spring)
=Golden Seal, Hydrastis canadensis.=
31b. Petals none; sepals petal-like, 4 or more (Anemone) --32.
31c. Petals present, but much smaller than the 5 petal-like sepals --38.
32a. Stem-leaves sessile or nearly so --33.
32b. Stem-leaves on definite petioles --35.
33a. Ovary tipped with a long slender hairy style; flowers bluish-purple
(1-4 dm. high; early spring)
=Pasque Flower, Anemone patens var. wolfgangiana.=
33b. Ovary with a short style, densely woolly; flowers red, greenish, or
white (1-4 dm. high; late spring and summer) --34.
33c. Ovary tipped with a short style, glabrous or nearly so; flowers
white (4-7 dm. high; late spring and early summer)
=Anemone, Anemone canadensis.=
34a. Stem 1-flowered, sepals white
=Anemone, Anemone parviflora.=
34b. Stem 3-flowered; sepals usually red
=Anemone, Anemone multifida.=
35a. Achenes densely woolly; flowers appearing in summer --36.
35b. Achenes merely pubescent; stems 1-flowered; woodland species
blooming in early spring (1-2 dm. high; flowers white)
=Wood Anemone, Anemone quinquefolia.=
36a. Segments of the leaf broadly wedge-shape or ovate; flowers
white (4-8 dm. high) --37.
36b. Segments of the leaf linear-oblong; flower red, greenish, or
white; plants growing on the shores of the Great Lakes
=Anemone, Anemone multifida.=
37a. Segments of the basal leaves wedge-lanceolate; head of fruit
cylindric =Anemone, Anemone cylindrica.=
37b. Segments of the basal leaves ovate-lanceolate; head of fruit ovoid
or oblong =Anemone, Anemone virginiana.=
38a. Stem-leaves present --9b.
38b. Leaves all basal (1-2 dm. high; leaves 3-divided; flowers
white, in early summer) =Gold-thread, Coptis trifolia.=
39a. Flowers numerous, in branching panicles (Meadow Rue) --40.
39b. Flowers numerous, in racemes --43.
39c. Flowers solitary or few, in loose clusters; woodland plants
blooming in early spring (1-3 dm. high; flowers white to purple)
--45.
40a. Blooming in spring; stem-leaves with obvious petioles (3-7 dm.
high; flowers white or greenish)
=Meadow Rue, Thalictrum dioicum.=
40b. Blooming in late spring or summer, stem-leaves sessile or
nearly so (8-15 dm. high; flowers white) --41.
41a. Filaments club-shape, approximately as wide as the anther
=Meadow Rue, Thalictrum polygamum.=
41b. Filaments slender or thread-like --42.
42a. Leaves minutely pubescent beneath, but not glandular
=Meadow Rue, Thalictrum dasycarpum.=
42b. Leaves minutely glandular beneath
=Meadow Rue, Thalictrum revolutum.=
43a. Racemes slender, 10-90 cm. long (8-15 dm. high; flowers white, in
summer) =Bugbane, Cimicifuga racemosa.=
43b. Racemes short and stout, 3-8 cm. long (4-8 dm. high; flowers white,
in late spring) (Baneberry) --44.
44a. Berries white; pedicels strongly thickened at maturity
=Baneberry, Actaea alba.=
44b. Berries red; pedicels slender =Baneberry, Actaea rubra.=
45a. Flowers white; stem-leaves alternate
=Isopyrum, Isopyrum biternatum.=
45b. Flowers white to pink or purplish; stem-leaves whorled
=Rue Anemone, Anemonella thalictroides.=
MAGNOLIACEAE, the Magnolia Family
Trees or shrubs, with alternate leaves, and large, frequently showy
flowers.
One species in Michigan, with broad 4-lobed leaves and greenish-yellow
flowers in late spring
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