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Key to Callirhoe

Malvaceae

Callirhoe

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(c) Lindqvist, Annika - CC-BY
1 Calyx not subtended by an epicalyx.
  2 Plants annuals or biennials; stipules strongly auriculate with well-developed basal lobes; [KS, OK, and TX]
  2 Plants perennials; stipules not auriculate, linear-lanceolate, lanceolate, ovate, or subulate in shape [collectively widespread].
    3 Mericarps (fruit segments) glabrous to sparsely pubescent; mericarp beaks inconspicuous, not or only slightly elevated beyond seed-containing portions.
      4 Stipules caducous; inflorescences paniculate, leaves (3-) 5-10 lobed; stems 5-20 dm tall; [rocky calcareous habitats of LA, AR, and MO to OK and KS]
      4 Stipules persistent; inflorescences racemose; leaves 3-5 lobed; stems 1.5-10 dm tall; [collectively widespread in various habitats].
        5 Stems pubescent to glabrate; leaf abaxial surfaces pubescent with both stellate and simple hairs; stipules oblong, ovate, or rhombic-ovate; schizocarps 7.7-11.2 mm in diameter
        5 Stems essentially glabrous; leaf abaxial surfaces pubescent with only simple hairs; stipules linear-lanceolate to subulate; schizocarps 6-7.5 mm in diameter
    3 Mericarps (fruit segments) pubescent with simple, appressed hairs; mericarp beaks prominent and protruding beyond seed-containing portions.
          6 Inflorescence paniculate; petals deep red, with a white basal spot; plants erect; schizocarps 6-7.5 mm in diameter
(c) Keith, Eric - CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG
1 Calyx subtended by an epicalyx of 3 bractlets.
               8 Cauline leaf lobe sinuses further (extending to within 5-15 mm) from petiole; petals reddish with white basal spot, rarely entirely white; mericarps pubescent
               8 Cauline leaf lobe sinuses closer (extending to within 2-5 mm) from petiole; petals reddish purple with white basal spot, light purple with white margins, or entirely white; mericarps pubescent or glabrous
             7 Calyx lobes valvate in bud, forming a point; stems erect, ascending, or decumbent.
                   10 Plants strictly erect; stipules linear lanceolate; stems densely pubescent with 6-8 rayed stellate hairs; [wc. to c. TX]
                   10 Plants ascending, decumbent, or weakly erect; stipules oblong, ovate, or rhombic-ovate; stems glabrate or pubescent with 4 rayed stellate hairs; [widespread].
                     11 Leaf lobes oblong or ovate; stems pubescent; bractlets lanceolate to ovate, 1-4 mm wide; mericarps sparsely pubescent; [primarily of the Interior Highlands and southern Great Plains of AR, MO, TX, and OK]
                     11 Leaf lobes lanceolate to linear or linear-falcate; stems pubescent or glabrate; bractlets linear, 0.1-0.7 mm wide; mericarps glabrous to sparsely pubescent; [Coastal Plain of GA and n. FL peninsula to e. TX and AR]