2024 Edition • Get the App
X

Colors

Data mode

Account

Login
Sign up

X
Jump to key:

Click the number at the start of a key lead to highlight both that lead and its corresponding lead. Click again to show only the two highlighted leads. Click a third time to return to the full key with the selected leads still highlighted.

Key to Crataegus

Copy permalink to share

1 Leaf blades mostly ovate or deltate, widest below their midpoint; blade base subcordate, truncate, rounded, or abruptly contracted
1 Leaf blades elliptical, rhomboid, suborbicular, obovate or oblanceolate, widest at midpoint or beyond midpoint; blade base usually cuneate.
  2 Leaves conspicuously glandular on petiole and teeth, especially when young; leading twigs and branchlets geniculate
  2 Leaves eglandular, or if glandular then twigs relatively straight, not conspicuously geniculate

Key to Crataegus, Key A: hawthorns with leaf blades widest below midpoint;
blade bases subcordate, truncate, rounded, or abruptly contracted

Copy permalink to share | Check for keys that lead to this key

1 Primary lateral veins of lobed leaves run to sinuses between lobes as well as to points of lobes, in some or most leaves [see also Crataegus viridis].
  2 Leaves usually pubescent or villous abaxially or on petiole, especially when young; inflorescence hairy (villous, pubescent or tomentose).
    3 Styles usually 2; fruit < 9 mm broad, usually oval or elliptic in shape; [widespread species]
    3 Styles 3 to 5; fruit > 9 mm broad, subglobose; [rare Arkansas endemic nothospecies]
      4 Short-shoot leaf blades 2-3 cm long, often broad as long
      4 Short-shoot leaf blades 3-4 cm long, longer than broad
  2 Leaves and inflorescence glabrous [commonly cultivated species]
        5 Leaf lobes with few serrations; pyrene 1 per fruit; thorns usually 1-2 cm long; [exotic]
        5 Leaf lobes with numerous serrations; pyrenes 5 per fruit; thorns usually 3-5 cm long; [native]
1 Primary lateral veins of lobed leaves run only to lobe points, excepting on vigorous sprouts.
          6 Sepals foliaceous, equal or exceeding petal length in flower and persistent on fruit
          6 Sepals not foliaceous, much shorter than petals.
             7 Leaves abaxially with whitish hair tufts in proximal main vein axils, especially in spring; [Virides series and hybrids].
               8 Leaves mostly ovate-lanceolate to elliptic, bases cuneate.
                 9 Leaves and inflorescences pubescent
                 9 Leaves glabrous, except for hair tufts.
                   10 Leaves predominately lanceolate
                   10 Leaves predominately elliptic or rhomboid
               8 Leaves often ovate to rhomboid or suborbicular, bases cuneate or rounded.
                     11 Leaves glabrous except for hair tufts; most leaves ovate, unlobed, rounded at base
                     11 Leaves pubescent, particularly when young; leaves ovate or rhomboid, often lobed, bases cuneate; [interserial hybrids].
                       12 Leaves most pubescent adaxially, teeth and lobes sharp; sepals glandular-serrate
                       12 Leaves most pubescent abaxially; teeth and lobes subacute; sepals subentire.
                          13 Inflorescence glabrous or glabrate; anthers pink or reddish.
                            14 Young leaves densely pubescent; leaves moderately lobed 10-25% to midrib
                            14 Young leaves slightly pubescent; leaves shallowly lobed 10% to midrib
                          13 Inflorescence pubescent or villous; anthers white or yellowish.
                              15 Terminal shoot leaves ovate or rhomboid, lobed 20-50% to midrib
                              15 Terminal shoot leaves often suborbicular, lobed 20% or less to midrib.
                                16 Terminal shoot leaves slightly lobed; inflorescence villous
                                16 Terminal shoot leaves often unlobed; inflorescence pubescent
             7 Leaves lacking hair tufts; hairs, if present, dispersed over veins or surface of leaves.
                                  17 Leaves abaxially pubescent, veins tomentose; petiole stout, pubescent, eglandular; inflorescence tomentose; [Molles series]
                                    18 Anthers pink or reddish.
                                       19 Anthers <1.5 mm long; fruit flesh dense; [rare Missouri endemic]
                                       19 Anthers 1.5-3 mm long; fruit usually soft-fleshed when mature; [widespread in southern Midwest]
                                    18 Anthers white or yellowish.
                                         20 Leaves barely lobed (5-10 % to midrib), base rounded or broadly cuneate
                                         20 Leaves moderately lobed (10-25 % to midrib), base truncate or subcordate on terminal shoots.
                                           21 Fruit usually red; leaves plane; [widespread species]
                                           21 Fruit usually yellow; leaves cupped; [east Texas endemic]
                                  17 Leaves variously pubescent or glabrous; petiole typically glandular, particularly in spring; inflorescence pubescent or glabrous.
                                             22 Leaf blades on terminal shoots commonly 8-12 cm long.
                                               23 Inflorescence densely pubescent.
                                                 24 Leaf base usually truncate; anthers pinkish; habit arborescent
                                                 24 Leaf base often broadly cuneate; anthers white or ivory; habit usually shrubby
                                               23 Inflorescence slightly pubescent or glabrous.
                                                    25 Leaf blades often wide as long; stamens usually 20; petiolar glands stalked; sepals pectinate
                                                    25 Leaf blades longer than broad; stamens 5-10; petiolar glands sessile, small or sparse; sepals glandular-serrate.
                                                      26 Sepals evenly glandular-serrate; fruit subglobose
                                                      26 Sepals irregularly glandular-serrate; fruit oblong
                                             22 Leaf blades on terminal shoots usually < 8 cm long.
                                                        27 Petiole distinctly villous or pubescent, particularly early in growing season.
                                                          28 Pyrenes usually 2 or 3, concave or pitted on inner sides; [interserial hybrids].
                                                            29 Leaves scabrate adaxially when young; stamens 7-10; [northern taxa rare in SE]
                                                            29 Leaves pubescent to villous; stamens 10 or 20; [Crataegus calpodendron hybrid endemics of MO and AR]
                                                              30 Leaves 6-8 cm long, ovate, lobes obtuse
                                                              30 Leaves 3-5 cm long, often rhomboid, lobes acute
                                                          28 Pyrenes usually 4 or 5, plane on inner sides.
                                                                 31 Terminal shoot leaves ovate or tending toward oval or suborbicular, unlobed or very shallowly lobed.
                                                                   32 Petiole eglandular or remotely glandular, unwinged for most of its length; [Molles interserial hybrids]
                                                                     33 Leaves mostly ovate, shallowly lobed 10-20% to midrib; fruit 8-10 mm
                                                                     33 Leaves mostly oval or suborbicular, unlobed or lobed to 10% to midrib; fruit 10-18 mm
                                                                   32 Petiole with several conspicuous stalked glands, winged near half its length.
                                                                       34 Terminal shoot leaves suborbicular, mostly unlobed; inflorescence >10-flowered
                                                                       34 Terminal shoot leaves very shallowly lobed; inflorescence 3- to 8-flowered
                                                                 31 Terminal shoot leaves broadly ovate or deltate, often lobed 20% or more to midrib.
                                                                         35 Sepals partly glandular-serrate or subentire; leaves often deltate.
                                                                           36 Leaves often broad as long, densely villous adaxially in spring; [AR endemic]
                                                                           36 Leaves longer than broad, sparsely villous adaxially in spring; [widespread taxa].
                                                                              37 Stamens 5 or 10; calyx sessile on fruit
                                                                              37 Stamens 20; calyx collar usually elevated on fruit
                                                                         35 Sepals deeply gland-toothed or pectinate; most leaves ovate.
                                                                                38 Stamens 20; leaves densely pubescent
                                                                                38 Stamens 10; leaves villous or sparsely hairy.
                                                                                  39 Leaves 3-6 cm long; anthers whitish; calyx collar elevated on fruit
                                                                                  39 Leaves mostly 2-3 cm long; anthers reddish; calyx near sessile on fruit
                                                        27 Petiole glabrous, or at most only sparsely hairy in spring
                                                                                    40 Calyx sessile on mature fruit.
                                                                                      41 Terminal shoot leaves commonly deltate; petiole length often 50-75% as long as blade
                                                                                        42 Leaves adaxially minutely strigose when young, abaxially glabrous
                                                                                           43 Inflorescence often slightly villous
                                                                                           43 Inflorescence glabrous.
                                                                                             44 Flesh of mature fruit dense or hard; [northern taxa rare in Southeast].
                                                                                               45 Terminal shoot leaves incised 25-50% to midrib, distal 2 or 3 lobe tips aligned
                                                                                               45 Terminal shoot leaves incised 10-30% to midrib, distal lobe tips convex in outline
                                                                                             44 Flesh of mature fruit soft, succulent; [taxa widely distributed in Southeast]
                                                                                                 46 Stamens 5-10 per flower
                                                                                                 46 Stamens 15-20 per flower
                                                                                        42 Leaves adaxially glabrous or remotely pubescent or strigose on veins of both surfaces
                                                                                                   47 Stamens 15-20 per flower
                                                                                                   47 Stamens 5-10 per flower.
                                                                                                     48 Flowers 12-15 mm diameter; thorns often angled <90° from twig
                                                                                                     48 Flowers 15-22 mm diameter; thorns usually ~ 90 ° from twig.
                                                                                                        49 Leaf blades mostly 4-7 cm long; twigs and fruits not pruinose
                                                                                                        49 Leaf blades usually 2-5 cm long; twigs and fruits often pruinose
                                                                                      41 Terminal shoot leaves mostly ovate or near rhombic; petiole length mostly 30-50 % as long as blade.
                                                                                                          50 Petiole distinctly and persistently glandular.
                                                                                                            51 Inflorescence scabrous-pubescent; petiolar glands stipitate
                                                                                                            51 Inflorescence sparsely hairy or glabrate; petiolar glands sessile.
                                                                                                              52 Stamens usually 20; leaves sharply lobed 10-40 % to midrib
                                                                                                              52 Stamens 10; leaves unlobed or lobed <25 % to midrib.
                                                                                                                53 Leaves and inflorescences sparsely hairy
                                                                                                                53 Leaves and inflorescences glabrous
                                                                                                          50 Petiole eglandular or rarely with 1 or 2 glands in spring.
                                                                                                                  54 Stamens 10-15.
                                                                                                                     55 Anthers pink; leaves shallowly lobed; [southern species]
                                                                                                                     55 Anthers yellow; leaves moderately lobed; [endemic of n. DE]
                                                                                                                  54 Stamens 20; [Virides series].
                                                                                                                       56 Fruit 10-15 mm; anthers <1 mm long; most leaves ovate-lanceolate
                                                                                                                       56 Fruit 5-10 mm; anthers 1-2 mm long; most leaves ovate or rhombic
                                                                                    40 Calyx collar elevated on mature fruit
                                                                                                                         57 Petiole remotely glandular in spring; sepals remotely glandular-serrate or subentire; [Pruinosae series]
                                                                                                                           58 Leaves finely crenate-serrate, barely lobed; petiole often nearly as long as blade
                                                                                                                           58 Leaves sharply or coarsely toothed and lobed; petiole usually < 2/3 as long as blade
                                                                                                                             59 Leaf blades usually 2-4 cm long; terminal shoot leaf blades usually 3-5 cm long.
                                                                                                                               60 Leaves slightly hairy, later glabrate; inflorescence slightly villous
                                                                                                                               60 Leaves and inflorescence glabrous.
                                                                                                                                  61 Leaves mostly deltate or broadly ovate; [AR endemic]
                                                                                                                                  61 Leaves ovate to near rhombic; [mostly of northeastern US]
                                                                                                                             59 Leaf blades usually 3-5 cm long; terminal shoot leaf blades often 4-7 cm long.
                                                                                                                                    62 Stamens 10 per flower; calyx slightly elevated on fruit
                                                                                                                                    62 Stamens 20 per flower; calyx distinctly elevated on fruit.
                                                                                                                                      63 Leaf blades often 5-7 cm long, lobes obscure; [rare taxon]
                                                                                                                                      63 Leaf blades mostly 3-5 cm long, shallowly to moderately lobed; [widespread taxa]
                                                                                                                                        64 Leaf base truncate to subcordate; leaves often as wide as long
                                                                                                                                        64 Leaf base truncate or abruptly tapered; leaves longer than wide.
                                                                                                                                          65 Anthers ca. 0.5mm long; leaves elongate distally
                                                                                                                                          65 Anthers ca. 1-2mm long; leaves ovate, not elongate distally
                                                                                                                         57 Petiole distinctly and persistently glandular; sepals distinctly glandular-serrate.
                                                                                                                                            66 Stamens 5 to 10; [Intricatae series].
                                                                                                                                               67 Anthers white or yellow.
                                                                                                                                                 68 Sepals glandular-serrate distally; terminal shoot leaves deltate
                                                                                                                                                 68 Sepals wholly glandular-serrate; terminal shoot leaves ovate.
                                                                                                                                                   69 Calyx collar distinctly elevated on fruit; [eastern taxa]
                                                                                                                                                   69 Calyx collar slightly elevated or near sessile on fruit; [midwestern taxa]
                                                                                                                                               67 Anthers pink, rose, or purple.
                                                                                                                                                     70 Sepals often partly glandular-pectinate; terminal shoot leaves broadly ovate or deltate.
                                                                                                                                                       71 Sepals pectinate near base; leaf lobes obtuse; trunk bark often furrowed
                                                                                                                                                       71 Sepals pectinate near tip; leaf lobes sharp; trunk bark usually scaly
                                                                                                                                                     70 Sepals glandular-serrate; terminal shoot leaves ovate or less commonly broadly ovate.
                                                                                                                                                         72 Anthers purplish; sepals finely glandular-serrate
                                                                                                                                                         72 Anthers pink; sepals deeply glandular-serrate.
                                                                                                                                                            73 Fruit globose, 12-14 mm long, yellow; leaves subcoriaceous
                                                                                                                                                            73 Fruit obovoid, 10-12 mm long, red or ruddy; leaves thin
                                                                                                                                            66 Stamens 15-20; [Pulcherrimae series].
                                                                                                                                                              74 Leaves mostly unlobed and apex obtuse; terminal shoot leaves lobed 5-10% to midrib
                                                                                                                                                              74 Leaves shallowly lobed, or if unlobed then apex acute; terminal shoot leaves lobed 10-60% to midrib.
                                                                                                                                                                75 Leaves ovate-lanceolate; margin outline nearly straight from about mid-blade to apex.
                                                                                                                                                                  76 Terminal shoot leaves with 4 or 5 pairs of distinct lobes; often a suckering shrub
                                                                                                                                                                  76 Terminal shoot leaves with 3 to 4 pairs of shallow lobes; usually arborescent
                                                                                                                                                                75 Leaves ovate, broadly ovate or near rhombic or suborbicular; margin outline convex.
                                                                                                                                                                    77 Petioles of smaller leaves winged 1/3 or less of length
                                                                                                                                                                      78 Terminal shoot leaf blades often broad as long, lobes rounded
                                                                                                                                                                      78 Terminal shoot leaf blades longer than broad, lobes obtuse to acute
                                                                                                                                                                    77 Petioles of smaller leaves winged 1/2 of length.
                                                                                                                                                                         79 Anthers white or yellow; leaves subcoriaceous, serrations acute
                                                                                                                                                                         79 Anthers pink, purplish or reddish; leaves membranaceous, serrations obtuse
                                                                                                                                                                           80 Anthers reddish; fruit ovoid or oval, yellow; leaves glabrous
                                                                                                                                                                           80 Anthers pink; fruit subglobose, red; leaves with adaxial hairs on midvein in spring

Key to Crataegus, Key B: hawthorns with leaf blades widest at midpoint or beyond midpoint; blade bases acute or cuneate;
leaves conspicuously glandular on petiole and teeth; twigs and branchlets geniculate

Copy permalink to share | Check for keys that lead to this key

1 Leaf blades usually < 12 mm wide and < 2 cm long (on floreal shoots).
  2 Leaf blades often nearly wide as long, blade broadly obovate or suborbicular.
    3 Leaves denticulate or remotely toothed, rarely lobed; petiole glabrate; shrub usually < 1m tall
    3 Leaves sharply toothed, often lobed; petiole hairy; shrub or tree > 1 m tall
  2 Leaf blades 1.5-2× long as broad, mostly spatulate or oblanceolate.
      4 Leaves and flower pedicels glabrate
      4 Leaves and flower pedicels pubescent to tomentose.
        5 Leaf blade attenuate along most of petiole, margin subentire, obscurely toothed near apex
        5 Leaf blade cuneate at base, margin distinctly toothed or dentate near apex.
          6 Thorns 1-3 cm long; plant usually < 1 m tall
          6 Thorns 3-6 cm long; plant usually 1-2 m tall
1 Leaf blades mostly > 12 mm wide and > 2 cm long.
             7 Leaf margin mostly subentire; may have glandular-denticulate teeth or 3 lobelike points on distal part of blade.
               8 Leaves often with 3 lobelike points near apex.
                 9 Leaves persistently tomentose; fruit subglobose
                 9 Leaves pubescent to glabrate; fruit pyriform
               8 Leaves denticulate or subentire to apex, rarely with any lobelike points.
                   10 Thorns abundant, present at nearly every node and > 3 cm long
                   10 Thorns less numerous, most < 3 cm long.
                     11 Leaves elliptic-obovate, blade attenuate for about half of petiole
                     11 Leaves generally spatulate, blade attenuate for most of petiole
             7 Leaf margin toothed along at least half of margin, the teeth fine, acute, obtuse or dentate.
                       12 Floreal leaves often rhomboid or broadly elliptical; twigs and branches usually not drooping.
                          13 Leaves distinctly sharply toothed and/or lobed; blades broadly ovate on terminal shoots and > 3.5 cm long
                          13 Leaves with small or blunt teeth, mostly unlobed; blades rhombic, obovate or orbicular on terminal shoots, < 3.5 cm long.
                            14 Stamens 10 per flower; terminal shoot leaves broadly rhombic to suborbicular
                            14 Stamens 20 per flower; terminal shoot leaves usually orbicular or broadly obovate
                       12 Floreal leaves mostly obovate or spatulate; leading twigs or branches drooping or pendulous.
                              15 Leaf apex rounded or with an abrupt short point, margins finely or sharply toothed beyond middle of blade; terminal shoot leaves unlobed to very obscurely lobed.
                                16 Leaves and inflorescence thinly hairy or glabrate.
                                  17 Leaves and inflorescence sparsely hairy; pyrenes 3-5 per fruit
                                  17 Leaves and inflorescence essentially glabrous; pyrenes 2 or 3 per fruit
                                16 Leaves and inflorescence densely hairy.
                                    18 Leaf teeth sharp, conspicuously black-glandular, apex rather jagged-toothed
                                    18 Leaf teeth small, fine or partly crenate.
                                       19 Leaves persistently pubescent, apex usually rounded
                                       19 Leaves pubescent when young, later glabrate, apex with a short point
                              15 Leaf apex 3-lobed or with 3-5 distinct points or several larger teeth; terminal shoot leaves moderately to deeply lobed.
                                         20 Fruit usually < 10 mm diameter, with calyx collar elevated.
                                           21 Leaf shape often spatulate, lobes and teeth blunt to subacute
                                           21 Leaf shape often narrowly obovate, lobes and teeth dentate or sharp
                                         20 Fruit often 10 mm diameter or more, calyx sessile.
                                             22 Terminal shoot leaves ovate, tomentose, sharply serrate and deeply incised
                                             22 Terminal shoot leaves mostly obovate, pubescent or glabrate.
                                               23 Leaves partly oblanceolate, usually with 2 pairs of main lateral veins; fruit 10-14mm, flesh dense
                                               23 Leaves obovate or sub-rhombic, with 3-5 pairs of main lateral veins; fruit 12-15 mm, flesh soft.
                                                 24 Leaf base narrowly cuneate; lobes and teeth obtuse or rounded
                                                 24 Leaf base short-cuneate or acute; lobes or teeth acute

Key to Crataegus, Key C: hawthorns with leaf blades widest at midpoint or beyond midpoint; blade bases acute or cuneate;
leaves eglandular, or if glandular then twigs and branchlets not geniculate

Copy permalink to share | Check for keys that lead to this key

1 Leaves abaxially canescent, margins mostly entire; fruit calyx open, exposing pyrenes
1 Leaves abaxially pubescent, villous or glabrous, margins toothed; fruit calyx not fully open.
  2 Leaves spatulate or oblanceolate, < 13 mm wide; fruit < 6 mm diameter; pyrenes about 3 mm long
  2 Leaves variously shaped but most > 13 mm wide; fruit > 6 mm; pyrenes 4 mm long or more.
    3 Leaves abaxially with dense hair tufts in proximal main vein axils, especially in spring; [plants typically of wet or floodplain habitats].
      4 Inflorescence simple, 1-5-flowered; fruit 10-15 mm diameter, lustrous red, mature in late spring.
        5 Leaf blades mostly 5-7 cm long, elliptic, margin wavy or with uneven, blunt teeth
        5 Leaf blades usually < 5 cm long, most obovate, margin finely toothed.
          6 Leaf adaxial surface usually glossy; whitish hair tufts in main vein axils abaxially
          6 Leaf adaxial surface matte; reddish hair tufts in main vein axils abaxially
      4 Inflorescence compound, 5-20-flowered; fruit 5-15 mm diameter, dull red or orange-red, mature in autumn.
             7 Petiole 5-10 mm long; terminal shoot leaves < 25 mm broad
             7 Petiole > 10 mm long; terminal shoot leaves > 25 mm broad; [Virides series and hybrids].
               8 Leaves glabrous, except for hair tufts.
                 9 Leaves mostly ovate; terminal shoot leaves suborbicular, unlobed or barely lobed; bases rounded
                 9 Leaves predominately lanceolate, elliptical, rhomboid or obovate; terminal shoot leaves often ovate; bases usually cuneate.
                   10 Leaves frequently lanceolate
                   10 Leaves rarely lanceolate, mostly elliptical or rhomboid.
                     11 Leaf serrations small or crenate; terminal shoot leaves often incised on each side nearly to midrib
                     11 Leaf serrations acute; terminal shoot leaves moderately lobed
               8 Leaves and/or inflorescences hairy, at least in spring.
                       12 Terminal shoot leaves mostly ovate or rhomboid
                          13 Inflorescence densely pubescent; bracteoles thin, linear, caducous; leaves finely toothed
                          13 Inflorescence villous; bracteoles firm, persist through anthesis; leaves coarsely toothed
                       12 Terminal shoot leaves orbicular, elliptical or obovate
                            14 Terminal shoot leaves orbicular, unlobed; young leaves white-tomentose; inflorescence glabrate
                            14 Terminal leaves elliptical or obovate, prominently toothed; young leaves and inflorescence pubescent
    3 Leaves glabrous or with hairs scattered, not in tufts; [plants typically of upland habitats].
                              15 Pyrenes channeled or pitted on inner sides.
                                16 Leaves persistently pubescent, at least on petiole or main veins abaxially.
                                  17 Sepals glandular-serrate or subentire; inflorescence > 12-flowered
                                  17 Sepals often deeply glandular-serrate or glandular-pectinate; inflorescence < 10-flowered
                                    18 Leaves sharply toothed and lobed
                                    18 Leaves dentate-serrate, usually unlobed
                                16 Leaves glabrous or glabrate abaxially after maturity
                                       19 Leaves scabrate adaxially when young; stamens 7-10
                                       19 Leaves not scabrate; stamens 5-20.
                                         20 Pyrenes with a shallow groove or depression; leaf venation vaguely reticulate, barely impressed adaxially
                                         20 Pyrenes deeply grooved or pitted; leaf venation distinctly reticulate and impressed adaxially.
                                           21 Stamens 5-10 per flower; anthers 1-2 mm long
                                           21 Stamens 15-20 per flower; anthers < 1 mm long.
                                             22 Leaf blades often narrowly obovate or broadly elliptic; fruit 6-8 mm in diameter
                                             22 Leaf blades broadly obovate, rhombic or suborbicular; fruit 7-12 mm in diameter
                              15 Pyrenes plane on inner sides.
                                               23 Sepals foliaceous, equaling or exceeding petal length in flower and persistent on fruit; flowers usually 1-5 per inflorescence.
                                                 24 Terminal shoot leaves broadly elliptic or ovate, often shallowly lobed
                                                 24 Terminal shoot leaves mostly elliptic or obovate, unlobed
                                               23 Sepals not foliaceous, shorter than petals; flowers 5 or more per inflorescence
                                                    25 Thorns short (< 2 cm), or spinose spur shoots present; main lateral leaf veins run to sinuses and lobe tips in lobed leaves.
                                                      26 Fruit black or blue; styles and pyrenes 3-5; most leaves elliptical; [native]
                                                      26 Fruit red; styles and pyrenes 2; most leaves rhombic or obovate; [exotic]
                                                    25 Thorns usually > 2 cm long; main lateral leaf veins lead only to lobe tips in lobed leaves.
                                                        27 Petioles distinctly glandular, usually with 3 or more glands persistent.
                                                          28 Stamens 5-10 (-15) per flower.
                                                            29 Fruit flesh usually hard or dense; calyx collar elevated on fruit; leaves moderately lobed on terminal shoots.
                                                              30 Anthers white or yellow
                                                              30 Anthers pink or purplish.
                                                                 31 Sepals deeply glandular-serrate; anthers pink; inflorescence glabrous
                                                                 31 Sepals finely glandular-serrate; anthers purplish; inflorescence slightly pilose
                                                            29 Fruit flesh dense or soft; calyx collar sessile or nearly so on fruit; leaves shallowly lobed or unlobed on terminal shoots.
                                                                   32 Leaves conspicuously and persistently pubescent, petiolar glands stalked.
                                                                     33 Terminal shoot leaves suborbicular, 6-8 cm wide; [rare AL endemic]
                                                                     33 Terminal shoot leaves ovate or broadly ovate, 4-6 cm wide
                                                                   32 Leaves glabrate or sparsely pubescent, or pubescent only in spring, petiolar glands sessile.
                                                                       34 Leaf blades often obovate, fruit oblong or pyriform
                                                                       34 Leaf blades broadly elliptic or oval; fruit subglobose.
                                                                         35 Leaves usually shallowly but sharply lobed; anthers purplish; [AL, GA, SC]
                                                                         35 Leaves bluntly lobed or unlobed; anthers whitish or pink; [OK, AR, OK]
                                                          28 Stamens usually 20 per flower (often 30 or more in C. triflora).
                                                                           36 Leaves pubescent, at least abaxially; anthers white or yellowish.
                                                                              37 Sepals remotely glandular-serrate; petiolar glands sessile; fruit usually 8-12 mm diameter
                                                                              37 Sepals deeply glandular-serrate; petiolar glands stalked; fruit usually > 12 mm diameter.
                                                                                38 Leaves thin; inflorescence simple, 3-5-flowered; stamens usually 30 or more
                                                                                38 Leaves firm; inflorescence compound, > 5-flowered; stamens 20.
                                                                                  39 Terminal shoot leaves 4-5 cm wide, unlobed; sepals usually erect on fruit
                                                                                  39 Terminal shoot leaves 5-8 cm wide, with lobelike points; sepals patent in fruit
                                                                           36 Leaves glabrous; anthers pink to purplish, rarely white.
                                                                                    40 Calyx collar sessile on fruit; fruit flesh soft and succulent at maturity.
                                                                                      41 Leaves mostly unlobed; inflorescence scabrous-pubescent; petiolar glands stalked
                                                                                      41 Leaves acutely lobed; inflorescence glabrate; petiolar glands sessile
                                                                                    40 Calyx collar often elevated on fruit; fruit flesh usually dense or dry; [Pulcherrimae series].
                                                                                        42 Terminal shoot leaves shallowly lobed or unlobed, apex obtuse, margins crenate-serrate
                                                                                        42 Terminal shoot leaves shallowly to moderately lobed, apex usually acute, margins serrate.
                                                                                           43 Leaf margins often taper in a straight line from midpoint to apex
                                                                                           43 Leaf margins usually convex or bowed from midpoint to apex.
                                                                                             44 Petioles of smaller leaves winged 1/3 or less of length; leaf lobes convex-sided
                                                                                             44 Petioles of smaller leaves winged 1/2 length; leaf lobes straight on inner/distal side.
                                                                                               45 Leaf blades mostly 5-7 cm long, subcooriaceous, serrations acute
                                                                                               45 Leaf blades mostly 3-5 cm long, membranaceous, serrations obtuse.
                                                                                                 46 Anthers reddish; fruit oval, yellow; leaves glabrous
                                                                                                 46 Anthers pink; fruit subglobose, red; leaves with adaxial hairs on midvein in spring
                                                        27 Petioles eglandular, or occasionally with 1 or 2 glands deciduous or obscure after spring. xx
                                                                                                   47 Petioles often half as long as the leaf blade, or longer.
                                                                                                     48 Stamens 10 per flower; leaf blades with 4-6 pairs of main lateral veins; calyx sessile on mature fruit
                                                                                                        49 Petiole usually 15-20 mm long; fruit not pruinose
                                                                                                        49 Petiole usually 10-20 mm long; fruit usually pruinose
                                                                                                     48 Stamens 20 per flower; leaf blades with 3-4 pairs of main lateral veins; calyx collar often elevated on fruit.
                                                                                                          50 Flowers 8-10 mm wide; fruit ellipsoid
                                                                                                          50 Flowers 12-17 mm wide; fruit subglobose.
                                                                                                            51 Leaf blades 20-30 mm long, often elliptic, apex acute
                                                                                                            51 Leaf blades 30-40 mm long, usually rhombic or obovate, apex obtuse
                                                                                                   47 Petioles mostly 1/3 or less as long as the leaf blade.
                                                                                                              52 Mature leaves pubescent or villous on veins.
                                                                                                                53 Terminal shoot leaves usually ovate or rhomboid.
                                                                                                                  54 Stamens 10-15; styles 2 or 3; inflorescence slightly pubescent
                                                                                                                  54 Stamens usually 20; styles 5; inflorescence branches canescent or tomentose.
                                                                                                                     55 Terminal shoot leaves 4-6 cm long, often rhomboid
                                                                                                                     55 Terminal shoot leaves 5-9 cm long, mostly ovate or oval.
                                                                                                                       56 Fruit yellow; [TX endemic]
                                                                                                                       56 Fruit red or orange-red; [collectively widespread, but not TX]
                                                                                                                         57 Leaves flat, serrations large or coarse
                                                                                                                         57 Leaves usually cupped, serrations small, acute
                                                                                                                53 Terminal shoot leaves mostly obovate or broadly elliptical.
                                                                                                                           58 Styles and pyrenes usually 2 or 3; primary leaf veins rather obscure or not impressed; petiole winged to base.
                                                                                                                             59 Inflorescence tomentose; leaves pubescent abaxially; stamens 20
                                                                                                                             59 Inflorescence villous or glabrate; leaves usually villous; stamens 10
                                                                                                                           58 Styles and pyrenes 3-5; primary leaf veins impressed adaxially, conspicuous abaxially; petiole winged near blade.
                                                                                                                               60 Stamens 10-20; anthers white or yellowish, rarely pink; sepals glandular-serrate.
                                                                                                                                  61 Leaves usually unlobed; primary lateral veins usually 4 or 5 per side
                                                                                                                                  61 Leaves shallowly lobed; primary lateral veins 5 or 6 per side
                                                                                                                               60 Stamens 20; anthers pink; sepals subentire.
                                                                                                                                    62 Inflorescence stems glabrous; thorns > 3 cm long
                                                                                                                                    62 Inflorescence stems hairy; thorns < 3 cm long
                                                                                                              52 Mature leaves glabrous or glabrate.
                                                                                                                                      63 Primary leaf veins not impressed adaxially, somewhat obscure abaxially; petiole <10 mm long, winged to near base.
                                                                                                                                        64 Terminal shoot leaves 4.5-7 cm long; 1-3 styles and pyrenes.
                                                                                                                                          65 Terminal shoot leaves elliptic to broadly obovate
                                                                                                                                          65 Terminal shoot leaves often suborbicular
                                                                                                                                        64 Terminal shoot leaves mostly 2.5-4 cm long; 3-5 styles and pyrenes.
                                                                                                                                            66 Inflorescence pilose; stamens 20; anthers yellow
                                                                                                                                            66 Inflorescence sparsely hairy or glabrous; stamens usually 10-15; anthers usually pink
                                                                                                                                      63 Primary leaf veins impressed adaxially, conspicuous abaxially; petiole 10 mm or more, partly winged near blade.
                                                                                                                                               67 Leaf apex usually rounded; fruit 6-8 mm
                                                                                                                                               67 Leaf apex acute; fruit 10 mm or more.
                                                                                                                                                 68 Leaves with 6-9 pairs of main lateral veins; inflorescence villous or appressed-hairy.
                                                                                                                                                   69 Leaf serrations acuminate, 2-3 mm long; 2-3 styles/pyrenes; branches dark gray
                                                                                                                                                   69 Leaf serrations acute, 1-2 mm long; 3-5 styles/pyrenes; branches pale ashy-gray
                                                                                                                                                 68 Leaves with 5-7 pairs of main lateral veins; inflorescence glabrous or slightly pubescent.
                                                                                                                                                     70 Terminal shoot leaves sharply lobed; stamens usually 20
                                                                                                                                                     70 Terminal shoot leaves barely lobed or unlobed; stamens 5-15.
                                                                                                                                                       71 Leaves mostly rhomboid or suborbicular; stamens 5-10
                                                                                                                                                       71 Leaves obovate, oblanceolate or elliptical; stamens 10-15.
                                                                                                                                                         72 Sepals glandular-serrate; stamens white, yellowish or pink.
                                                                                                                                                         72 Sepals subentire; anthers pink or purplish.
                                                                                                                                                            73 Leaves often with 1-3 lobelike, asymmetrical points; styles 3 or 4
                                                                                                                                                            73 Leaves unlobed; styles usually 2
Cite as...