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Key to Lythrum

Lythraceae

Lythrum

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1 Flowers numerous in terminal spike-like thyrses; stamens usually 12; leaves opposite or whorled on the lower stem.
1 Flowers solitary or paired in axils; stamens usually (4-) 6; leaves either opposite throughout, or opposite to subopposite below and alternate above.
    3 Leaves opposite throughout, mostly shorter than to about as long as the internodes, 1-6 mm wide
      4 Leaves elliptic, averaging ca. 2× as long as wide; stems decumbent to ascending; [FL]
        5 Leaves opposite, petiolate, with a distinct gap between the base of the leaf blade and stem; floral tube narrowly obconic; [endemic to west-central FL southward to Collier County]
        5 Leaves opposite, sometimes alternate distally, sessile or with a short petiole (0.2 mm long), the base of the leaf blade adjacent to the stem; flora tube subcylindric; [endemic to Alachua, Citrus, and Hernando counties]
      4 Leaves linear, averaging 5-10× as long as wide; stems erect; [widespread in coastal plain
    3 Leaves opposite or sub-opposite on the lower stem, alternate above.
(c) Aaron, Nathan - CC-BY
          6 Annual; flowers present in nodes more-or-less throughout the plant; flowers homostylous, all alike, the stamens always included
(c) Fleming, Gary P.
          6 Perennial by basal stoloniferous outshoots; flowers present only at upper nodes; flowers heterostylous (either with an exserted style and included stamens, or vice versa)
             7 Floral tube 3-4 mm long; petals 2-3 mm long; calyx appendages about the same length as the calyx lobes; branch leaves abruptly and definitely reduced in size relative to the stem leaves, and widely spaced; [of sw. GA southward]
             7 Floral tube 5-6 mm long; petals 5-6 mm long; calyx appendages about 2× as long as the calyx lobes; branch leaves gradually reduced relative to the stem leaves, dense and overlapping; [collectively widespread in our area].
               8 Plants whitish-gray glaucous; leaves 3-8 mm wide
               8 Plants green or slightly glaucous; leaves 7-15 mm wide.
                 9 Leaves ovate to lanceolate, widest at a point 1/6 to 1/2 of the way from the base to the apex, the base rounded to subcordate; stems mostly slender, to 8 dm tall; bracteoles mostly at the base of the pedicel
                 9 Leaves lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, widest at a point 1/3 to 2/3 of the way from the base to the apex, the base cuneate, often narrowly so; stems stout, to 13 dm tall; bracteoles mostly on the upper pedicel, immediately below the floral tube