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Key to Malvastrum

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1 Leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, 3.5-8× as long as wide; plant 1-5 (-8) dm tall; [calcareous habitat, inland provinces]
1 Leaves broadly lanceolate to broadly ovate, 1.5-2.5× as long as wide; plant (5-) 10-20 dm tall; [various habitats, Coastal Plain, mainly FL, TX, and LA, or as waifs].
  2 Hairs of the stems stellate with 5-12 rays; leaves sometimes shallowly 3-lobed
    3 Hairs of the stems with ascending rays, these not notably fused basally
    3 Hairs of the stems with rays appressed to the surface, the rays fused basally and thus sublepidote
  2 Hairs of the stems stellate with 2-5 rays; leaves unlobed.
      4 Mericarps with minute cusps, none longer than 0.1-0.4 mm long
      4 Mericarps with well-developed sharp cusps, the larger 1-2 mm long