KEY TO SOME LOCAL LYCIUM

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1A. Calyx lobes can be much less, but not more than half the length of the tube

   1B. Herbage is pubescent to densely pubescent

         1C. Stamens exserted, flowers pendent………….....….........….L. exsertum

         2C. Stamens not exserted, flowers not pendent…….......…..…L. fremontii

   2B. Herbage is glabrous to sparsely pubescent

         1C. Filament base is glabrous to sparsely pubescent…........L. berlandieri

         2C. Filament base is densely pubescent…….……….….........L. andersonii   

2A. Calyx lobes are at least half or more than the length of the tube

   1B. Leaves are densely glandular and pubescent……....…........….L. parishii

   2B. Leaves are glabrous.………………………………….…................L. pallidum

    

  Some of the external features employed in identifying members of this genus include: the size of the calyx  and the relative length of its lobes to that of the structure as a whole; the color  of the petals, the general overall shape of the corolla, and the size of its lobes; whether the stamens are exserted (strongly as above) or insert, and if their base is smooth or bears marked pubescence (pillose); whether the various structures of the plant lack pubescence (glabrous as above), or are glandular and pubescent.

A VARIETY OF KEYS ARE INCLUDED FOR THE MORE ADVANCED READER

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMONLY OCCURRING PLANT FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED.

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BRASSICACEAE (mustard)

Generally herbaceous with a pungent sap, four look-alike and separated petals form a cross, often white or yellow, actinomorphic

FLOWER: Typically arranged as a terminal raceme or corymbs, tend to cluster at the apex, perfect and regular, rarely solitary and terminal

       Ovary: superior; 2 chambered (separated generally by a replum)

Style: 1

       Stigma: entire or 2 lobed

       Stamens: 6 (4 are long and 2 are short), attached at ovary base, generally 4 nectar glands

       Sepals: 4, separated and morphologically distinct

Petals: lacking or 4, generally white or yellow, commonly clawed and diagonally disposed

LEAVES: generally basal and cauline, usually alternate, entire, no stipules; often pinnately divided and lobed

FRUIT: silique or silicle (modified capsules)

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CARYOPHYLLACEAE (carnation)

FLOWER: annual to perennial herbs, perfect, regular, usually has an entire perianth; generally no involucre; solitary and axil or a cyme

       Ovary:  superior (1 cell)

       Pistil: compound (2-5 carpels); equal number of styles

       Style: 2-5

       Stamens:  4-10 in 1 or 2 whorls, free

       Petals: often absent, outer whorl of stamens can be petal-like

       Tepals: 4-5, imbricate, appears as the "petals"

       Calyx: when present: free or united into a tube

LEAVES: opposite, entire, without stipules, generally lacks petiole

FRUIT: many seeded, dry capsule (opening by valves or apical teeth) or a utricle (achene with a  loose,  outer envelope)

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