Version: 6/6/2012 Gentianaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 21 Leaves opposite or basal; flowers blue, blue-green to yellow, or white.
Hippuridaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 21 Aquatic; leaves whorled, entire (one species: Hippuris vulgaris).
Onagraceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 22 Flowers with 4 petals and 4 sepals, pink, purple, or white;
Papaveraceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 22 Milky juice; leaves lobed or divided; flowers solitary, showy; stems leafless; flower buds nodding; 2 sepals; petals thin, normally 4.
Plantaginaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 22 Tufted; Leaves oval, forming rosette; flowers creamy white, in spikes, small (one species: Plantago canescens).
Plumbaginaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 22 Densely tufted; leaves linear, grayish green; flowering stems leafless; head of flowers spherical, terminal, flowers in clusters of 3; 5 petals, rose pink (one species: Armeria maritima).
Polemoniaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 22 Leaves alternate, pinnately divided (like a fern); flowers blue, showy; 5 petals; 5 sepals
Polygonaceae ...... Polygonaceae, p. 14 Swollen joints in stem with membranous sheathing stipules above them; flowers small, petals lacking; 3-6 sepals.
Primulaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 23 Leaves mostly basal, simple; flowers with 5 petals, joined into tube at base; stamen opposite petals; may have simple umbel inflorescence, or petals may be reflexed.
Pyrolaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 23 Leaves simple, evergreen; flowers with 5 petals and 5 sepals; stems leafless; raceme inflorescence.
Ranunculaceae ...... Ranunculaceae, p. 15 Colorless juice; flowers symmetrical, sepals petal-like;
Rosacea ...... Rosaceae, p. 16 Herbs with woody base (one species, Dryas integrifloia, included in “Other Shrubs” key)
Rubiaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 23 Stem 4-angled; leaves whorled (one species: Galium boreale).
Scrophulariaceae ...... Scrophulariaceae, p. 19 Flowers in raceme or spike inflorescence, mostly irregular;
Valerianaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 23 Leaves opposite; flowers in terminal head, pink to white; lowermost leaves with slender petiole, leaves on flowering stem lacking petiole (one species: Valeriana capitata).
Monocots Key
Forbs ...... Other Forbs, p. 20
Graminoids Cyperaceae (sedges) ...... Sedges and Rushes, p. 3 Sheath closed, stem often has edges, 1 scale subtending each pistil
Juncaceae (rushes) ...... Sedges and Rushes, p. 3 Sheath open, stem round, flowers lily-like with 6 tepals
Poaceae (grasses) ...... Grasses, p. 1 Sheath open, leaves in one plane, terminal inflorescense, 2 scales protecting each flower, spikelets subtended by 2 glumes
Dicots
Woody ...... Shrubs, p. 6
Herbaceous (see below):
Apiaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 20 Stems usually hollow; leaves alternate or basal; compound umbel inflorescence.
Asteraceae ...... Asteraceae, p. 8 Composite flower heads with disc and ray flowers;
Boraginaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 21 Leaves entire, usually rough and hairy; flowers in one sided cymes, flowers blue
Brassicaceae ...... Brassicaceae, p. 10 Watery juice; leaves alternate, lacking stipules; flowers regular, cruciform, with 4 petals and 4 sepals, 6 stamen.
Campanulaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 21 Milky juice; leaves alternate, simple; flowers showy, usually blue, solitary or few.
Carophyllaceae ...... Carophyllaceae, p. 12 Leaves opposite, entire; flowers regular with distinct petals and sepals; 5 stamen closely surrounding one style.
Fabaceae ...... Fabaceae, p. 13 Leaves compound; flowers irregular; 5 petals typically with upper middle one largest, two lateral ones (wings) similar, and the two lowest ones united (keel).
Fumariaceae ...... Other Forbs, p. 21 Watery juice; leaves few, dissected, from lower part of stem; leaflets with 3-4 sections; flowers irregular; sepals small, scalelike; petals sky blue (one species: Corydalis pauciflora).
GRASSES Spikelets without own pedicel (supporting stalk) Pg. 1
Spikelets in groups of 2 or more Single spikelet at each node
Elymus arenarius Spikelet has many Spikelet lacking Glumes hairy, small, narrow projections Leaves lemma awnless projections Glumes hairy, pale grey lemma awnless or bluish Hairs on Leaves Spike dense green upper part pale grey Hairs on of stem Leaves rough or bluish upper part green of stem Nodes with short hairs Standing dead Agropyron boreale Standing present *Grows in dead tufts present
Elymus arenarius Spikelets each with own pedicel
Spikelet has one flower only
Inflorescence spikelike Inflorescence not spikelike
Alopecurus alpinus Inflorescence wider Inflorescence narrow Inflorescence cylindrical, wooly, Lemmas surrounded by tufts Lemmas not Phippsia algida light grey of hair at base surrounded by tufts Stem barely Leaves have of hair at base Inflorescence longer than hairs on upper narrow leaves surface of veins Arctogrostis latifolia Leaves rough, Leaves boat flat, wide shaped at tip Leaf blade short Leaves generally and flat blue‐ish
Stem smooth
Inflorescence Leaves Grows in closed yellowish‐green tufts
Awn longer than glumes Calamagrostis Awn shorter than glumes holmii Calamagrostis purpurascens Leaves rough Leaves very rough, Inflorescence closed, on both sides especially margins feather‐like Leaves Inflorescence Leaves much curled closed, pale Leaves flimsy, shorter than inward Leaves rough not firm stem on both sides Inflorescence open, Stem rough Stem slender usually purple tinged Inflorescence dense Leaves flat Calamagrostis Leaves almost canadensis Inflorescence trianglular, greyish green Calamagrostis purple to bronze inexpansa *Looks similar to *Grows in tufts Hierochloe pauciflora *TALL, very robust
Spikelet has 2 or more flowers Spikelet has 2 or more flowers Pg. 2
Spikelet 3 flowered, all at the same Spikelet 2 flowered or with 3 flowers on different level levels
Hierochloe alpina Lemmas awnless or with apical awn, Lemmas with awn arising from back, *Grows in tufts, DRY tundra glumes shorter than first floret glumes as long as spikelet Long, twisted awn Leaves narrow, curled Lemmas awned from Lemmas awned from inward, almost round above middle below middle Leaves yellow‐green Awn straight Glumes and lemmas Koeleria asiatica dark purple *Loose Fine hairs Inflorescence closed tufts on stem Deschampsia brevifolia Awnless Many basal leaves *Grows in dense tufts Leaves narrow, curled Leaves narrow and short inward, bluish‐green Awn bent Plant thin, delicate Glumes and Red base typical Stem hairless or with fine hairs lemmas Hierochloe pauciflora translucent *NOT tufted, WET tundra Fine hairs on leaves, Inflorescence open few basal leaves Leaves rough on Trisetum spicatum upper surface *NOT tufted Deschampsia caespitosa Glumes longer than spikelet Glumes shorter than spikelet *Tufted
Dupontia fisheri Lemmas have bifid tip Lemmas not bifid at tip Inflorescence closed Bromus Glumes shorter than Glumes as long as Glumes purple at pumpellianus base, bronze tips lowermost floret lowermost floret Stem Leaves and Arctophila fulva smooth Nerves of lemma converging Nerves of lemma stem with or parallel Inflorescence has long, drooping Leaves without hairs Inflorescence branches large, TALL (50‐100cm) open curled, Spikelets green WET TUNDRA purplish Glumes or purple Stem smooth, unequal Basal sheaths reddish leafy
Leaves flat Leaves broad, Puccinellia borealis smooth, reddish Lemmas awned Lemmas awnless *Tufted Ligule Inflorescence Inflorescence Palea hairless membranous Inflorescence Palea hairy closed open open Poa arctica Poa alpigena Festuca rubra Festuca altaica *Not tufted *Not tufted Spikelets *Loosely tufted *Densely Tufted Stem green or Leaves Leaves rough, smooth purple Stem curled curled smooth inward Leaves soft Basal Firm Leaves purplish Plant reddish leaves tussocks Poa alpina Puccinellia langeana*Tufted hairy Inflorescence Inflorescence more narrow Stem closed smooth, Inflorescence Stem wiry Spikelets closed Stem smooth, slightly Poa glauca Leaves pale Leaves wiry rough *Densely Tufted abruptly smooth, Stem bent pointed stiff Ligules short, at base Festuca Leaves terminates Persistent brachyphylla bright green abruptly white sheaths *Densely Tufted *Tufted Puccinellia phryganodes *Tufted SEDGES AND RUSHES Pg. 3 SEDGE‐Sheath closed, 1 scale per pistil
Large bristles‐ cottongrass Flowers otherwise
Spikes several, with bracts Spikes solitary, no bracts Perigynium lacking Perigynium present Eriophorum russeolum Kobresia Eriophorum *Not tufted myosuroides angustifolium Leaves *Tufted channeled, Spike linear CAREX Stem smooth, (See Carex key) hairless very thin, Leaves coiled, round Leaves flat, then numerous folding at tip White Old sheaths to pale dense, brown Sheaths persistent, rusty brown
Stem rough Spike oval‐ Leaves more oblong Leaves trigonous, narrow, flat but Leaves linear, thin, lighter green folding at tip narrow (Sedges) Sheaths Eriophorum triste Grows in brownish Sheaths dense tufts Eriophorum vaginatum Kobresia sibirica persistent, *Tufted brown *Tufted, dense tussocks
RUSH‐Sheath open, flowers lily‐like with 6 tepals (Rushes)
Leaves and sheaths with few white hairs No hairs present
Flowers solitary end of Flowers crowded in Inflorescence lateral Inflorescence terminal branches spikes Juncus arcticus Branches Luzula confusa Juncus biglumis brown Bract scalelike Bract leaflike Branches Inflorescence with curly Stem leafy hairs drooping dense, light brown Stems channeled Leaves on one side Usually 2 channeled Stem thin, wiry Stem with one leaf, cauline leaves Leaves curved, Reddish brown and several bladeless Leaves narrow wiry sheaths sheaths shiny, thin 3‐5 flowered Bract leaflike Luzula wahlenbergii Leaves Rhizome scaly head *Tufted hairy Bract scalelike Stem leafy Stems stiff
Leaves flat, Leaves with wide, short reddish brown sheaths Luzula arctica Juncus triglumis *Densely tufted Pg. 4 CAREX Group 1: Spike single, terminal
Staminate and pistillate flowers Staminate and pistillate flowers on different plants on the same spike
*3 stigmas Staminate flowers at base Staminate flowers at apex *Perigynia with small hairs C. scirpoidea C. ursina Spike round with Spike oblong or Spikes Stems barely longer single Leaf margins than leaves, trigonous pointed tip linear Spike single curled C. capitata *Densely tufted C. nardina Stem Leaf margins sharply curled Leaves as trigonous long as Stems slender, stems wiry Leaves Leaves flat Leaves pale green trigonous, Forms dense tufts Brown curved Rhizome black, scaly Leaves rough Sheaths purplish sheaths along edges Cylindrical Leaves Leaves Stems flat very thin rough (1mm) C. obtusata Leaves Rhizome greyish purplish black green, curly C. rupestris
Group 2: Spike compound, attached directly, bisexual
Stem simple Stem branching
Staminate flowers Staminate flowers 3‐8 spikes in at base of spike at apex of spike ovoid head Terminal spike C. maritima Stem smooth, flattened, tapers at base Spike round or oval Fertile triangular Stems stiff stems from Stems curved nodes of old Leaves flat, stems yellow‐green, short Leaves Leaves gray‐green, Leaves C. lachenalii channeled curved, narrow rough at tips Sheaths straw Blades of lower colored sheaths short or 3 spikes absent C. chordorrhiza Terminal spike Leaves club‐like grayish, channeled Stems rough
Leaves narrow (<2mm)
Group 3 on next page C. glareosa Group 3: Spikes compound, mostly unisexual, each with solitary stalk Pg. 5
2 Stigma
Perigynia long‐beaked Perigynia beakless or short‐beaked
Upper spikes Lowest bract shorter Lowest bract as long as staminate, linear than inflorescence inflorescence or longer Lower spikes pistillate, C. bigelowii Stem sheath has leaf Stem sheath lacks leaf cylindrical One staminate Stem slightly rough in Lateral spikes short, spike at tip upper part cylindrical Leaves Stem stiff, sharply C. stans Stem curved, Leaves pale, triangular Leaves greyish curved channeled margins curled green Leaves Stems purplish Leaves dark green, Stem shorter, yellowish at base wide, flat angles obtuse C. subspathaceagreen C. saxatilis Sheaths purplish *Dwarf species brown, shiny Lowest bract taller than inflorescence More than 1 Leaves and stem staminate spike at tip straight Leaves greyish green Stem triangular Sheaths reddish Stem taller, angles brown obtuse C. aquatilis C. ramenskii
3 Stigma
Break of perigynia has mouth with Beak of perigynia has mouth with square or even end two teeth
Bracts without sheaths Bracts with sheaths Leaves divided into Leaves not divided into C. holostoma Leaves narrow, C. rariflora segments by small knobs segments light green Stem smooth Stem triangular, Perigynia flat Perigynia trigonous Curled at tip edges rounded C. misandra Terminal spike Leaf margins Terminal spike Leaves waxy, staminate rough staminate at base greyish green C. capillaris Basal sheaths Stem thin , smooth Stem slender, Lower spikes purple Lower leaves smooth pistillate shorter than Leaves flat, upper leaves Leaf margins Stem slender, yellowish Lateral spikes curved smooth green drooping Sheaths pale Leaves broad Leaves short, greyish green Leaves Stem slender, flat, curly 3‐4 leaves C. rotundata bristlelike, Leaves yellowish green margins curved Tips rough Sheaths purplish C. podocarpa C. williamsii Terminal spike pistillate on top C. krausei Lowermost spikes solitary Stem thin, smooth Leaves flat, bright green, mostly basal SHRUBS Petals lacking or not visible Pg. 6
Lacking catkins Catkins
Evergreen Leaves mostly entire; Leaves serrated; Leaves alternate or Many seeded capsule 1 seeded winged nutlet whorled Betula nana Leaves linear to narrow SALIX Leaves with 3 elliptical pairs of veins (see Salix key) Berries purplish black Empetrum nigrum Leaves round, dark green Young above, light branches with resin below Leaf edges glands Petals present crenate
Small, very dense cushions Not forming these cushions
Leaves densely Fruit fleshy or dry Fruit is a berry White to cream overlapping
Leaves with dense, Leaves without hairs Evergreen matted hairs below Fruit is a drupe (fleshy outer part surrounding pit) Leaves leathery, Rounded at apex elliptical Flowers light pink *Flowers white, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea drooping *Berries red Few Leaves Drupe black branches Evergreen, dark green Leaves leathery, Stems trailing small dense Diapensia lapponica linear, dark Bark shreddy rosettes green above Arctostaphylos alpina White Evergreen Fruit is a dry capsule Deciduous Leaves oblong Ledum palustre Leaves opposite Branches stiff *Flowers Leaves Flowers white, pink broadest drooping below Berries blue middle White flowers Many Leaves opposite branches Pedicels with white Leaves dull Cassiope tetragona or rusty hairs green above Leaves whiteish on Leaves alternate Dryas Vaccinium uliginosum integrifolia underside, dark green Flowers purple and shiny above Leaves round, rough Twigs scaly
Rhododendron lapponicum Flowers pink
Leaves oblong, evergreen, deeply grooved
Andromeda polifolia SALIX Low prostrate shrubs <1ft tall Pg. 7
Long creeping branches Without creeping branches
Leaves net‐veined Not net‐veined Leaves whitish beneath Not whitish beneath Salix reticulata Forms dense mats Salix fuscescens Leaves dark Branches yellow or Leaves leathery, Margins of Leaves nearly round green above, greenish‐brown glossy leaves Leaves dark pale below Abundant green and subentire Leaves entire dead leaves hairless above to crenate or toothed on Upper surface of Branches basal half leaves glossy, lower reddish, glossy Branches surface pale purplish Veins reddish Salix phlebophylla brown, prominent Branches Branches shiny hairless or Leaves very light brown, with few hairs small, 5‐14mm Salix arctica Salix rotundifolia branchlets Leaves dull green, Petioles reddish Underside of Few or no green underside hairy or yellow leaves with silky dead leaves Salix ovalifolia hairs Leaves entire Branches mostly below ground Leaves Forms loose mats variously *Usually buried in moss shaped Peduncles hairy Salix pseudopolaris Stems pale yellow Leaves bright green Leaf margins Erect shrubs >1ft tall entire, reddish
More than 3ft tall Less than 3ft tall
Leaves without hairs Leaves with hairs on Leaves without hairs Leaves with hairs on Stipules persisting less lower surface Stipules persisting less lower surface than one year than one year Leaves dull Branches reddish brown, Salix brachycarpa Leaves light green, densely smooth, shiny green hairy below Leaves rounded Salix fuscescens Leaves or blunt Leaves densely rounded Leaves dark green hairy below at tip Petioles yellow Leaves above, pale below Salix hastata Petioles reddish tear‐drop Stipules persisting several Stipules persisting several shaped years Salix lanata Branches reddish years Salix glauca brown, hairy Salix lanata Branches reddish Stipules large, Stipules toothed brown to grey toothed Branches Stems with reddish brown, dense hairs Leaves rounded densely hairy Leaves or blunt densely hairy below Stipules not Stipules not toothed toothed Petioles reddish No dense hairs Branches reddish No dense hairs Salix pulchra brown, hairy Leaves frequently Salix pulchra Salix brachycarpa withering Pg. 8 ASTERACEAE Florets all ray florets
Taraxacum Taraxacum ceratophorum alaskanum Florets yellow, pappus white Stem hairless
Stem hairy
Winged petiole
Florets not all ray florets
Disc florets only
Herbaceous Subwoody
All leaves on flowering stem Leaves mostly basal Inflorescence in terminal Inflorescence otherwise Saussurea angustifolia cluster Leaves mostly basal Flower head Artemisia arctica Upper leaves solitary Flower yellow very reduced Inflorescence more Antennaria Few to many heads open, branching Stem dark monocephala Stem hairy purple Stem and leaves Stem green pale green, hairy or purple Narrow petiole Leaf bases persistent Leaves narrow Basal rosette Leaves pinnately Basal leaves divided, slender divided, whitish petiole Artemisia glomerata Inflorescence More than spikelike one flower Basal leaves Stem and leaves pinnately divided pale green, hairy Leaves on stem Basal rosette different than Antennaria basal leaves friesiana Artemisia borealis Leaves mainly on stem Petals yellow or tinted red Upper surface of leaves green and mostly hairless Leaves densely covered in grey hairs below Artemisia tilesii
Disc and ray florets Pg. 9 Disc and ray florets
Ray florets yellow or orange Ray florets white, pink, or purple
Pappus bristly Pappus otherwise
Basal leaves heart or Basal leaves not heart or Chrysanthemum arrow shaped arrow shaped integrifolium Petasites frigidus Bracts with papery *Tufted, dwarf Stem with or green tips Bracts green in middle, white hairs Ray florets white, brown margins Leaves toothed or sometimes purple Stem wooly shallowly lobed Pappus reddish brown Leaves entire, linear Leaves thick, Aster sibiricus leathery Leaves hairy below, Petals pure white smooth or hairy above Petasites Bracts otherwise hyperboreus Heads Ray florets large, very visible large, Stem with white hairs Erigeron hyperboreus 3‐5cm Few leaves on stem Leaves Leaves deeply lobed Basal leaves narrow, oblong pinnate Erigeron humilis Bracts bluish‐ Leaves thick, black leathery Tripleurospermum phaeocephalum Ray florets smaller Stem hairy Bracts purplish Basal leaves blunt, narrow petiole Leaves narrowly oblong Erigeron eriocephalus
Leaves opposite Leaves alternate or all basal
Arnica lessingii Basal leaves have winged Basal leaves otherwise, or lacking petiole Senecio congestus Senecio Pappus brownish‐yellow Solidago Stem thick, Bracts hyperborealis Stem hairy multiradiata hollow green Leaves on stem lack All leaves on Leaf veins prominent Flowers solitary, or petiole, reduced flowering stem, lateral ones smaller Winged petiole none basal Stem with short hairs Long petioles Pappus white Basal leaves hairless, Bracts covered serrated at apex Flowers in white hairs solitary Stem hairy Bracts purplish Flowers solitary, or all the same size Short petiole black Leaves on stem Arnica alpina Stem with lack petiole purplish hairs Basal leaves oblong, petiole narrow or Senecio atropurpureus winged Senecio lugens Pg. 10 BRASSICACEAE Pod short, not more than 3 times as long as broad
Plant completely hairless Plant has small hairs
Basal leaves round Basal leaves oblong Petals purple Petals white or yellow Cochlearia officinalis Draba lactea Flowers Flowers Few stem Petals white Petals yellow white small, white leaves Raceme *Plant short, inflorescence <10cm tall Draba micropetala Leaves small, Stem all basal leafless Stem leafless Densely tufted Leaves entire Leaf with or shallowly Leaves long prominent Flowers white dentate petioled midrib Siliques hairless Parrya nudicaulis Leaves all basal
Leaves larger, may appear on stem Pod swollen and Pod constricted at intervals otherwise *Plant taller, >10cm tall Stem has more than Stems with 3 or more Stems leafless, or with Draba longpipes one leaf laves above basal rosette 1‐2 leaves Leaves with Pods linear Pods hairy grey‐blue hairs Stem leaves Draba cinerea Petals white alternate Leaves entire Stem hairy
Basal leaves Leaves appear Leaves spatulate ash grey due to narrow Braya humilis dense hairs Stem has one or no Draba nivalis leaves Leaves otherwise Inflorescence Pods hairless Pods round Flowers densely compact or oval pure white Leaves densely hairy Leaves green Draba Basal leaves fladnizensis may have few Leaves Braya purpurascens teeth pointed Draba hirta Pods Inflorescence pointed more elongated at tip
Leaves lack strong midvein
Draba longpipes *If plant has hairs, Leaves only on pods densely hairy, linear Braya pilosa
Pod longer, more than 3 times as long as broad (Pg. 2) Pg. 11 Pod longer, more than 3 times as long as broad
Plant completely hairless
Petals purple Petals white, pale lavender, or yellow
Leaves not pinnate Leaves pinnate Leaves compound Leaves simple Pods cylindrical Petals purple or white Basal leaves lack petiole Basal leaves long Petals rose purple 10‐20 milky Sepals pink Petals white, petioled white flowers Cardamine or green sepals Sepals pink or bellidifolia Leaves long Stem hairless hairless petioled green, half size *Tufted, dwarf Pod slightly More than 7 of petals flattened Leaves mostly leaflets per leaf 5‐7 leaflets Leaves basal per leaf Parrya Cardamine hairless or Cardamine nudicaulis hyperborea with few pratensis hairs Pods linear Pods dark purple Flowers white Petals purple Arabis lyrata to purple or white Stem with few Sepals pink Pods linear Sepals hairy, leaves or green Flowers white green to purple Stem hairless to purple Basal leaves slender, long Leaves hairy Sepals hairy, More than 7 petioled green to purple leaflets per leaf Arabis arenicola Leaves hairy Eutrema edwardsii Cardamine pratensis Arabis arenicola
Plant has small hairs
Petals white or purplish Petals yellow
Pod 4‐5mm broad Pod narrower Descurainia Pod swollen and sophioides Pods cylindrical constricted at intervals Pods curved Petals rose purple Braya sp. Stem with few leaves (see pg. 10, bright blue) Leaves long petioled Leaves Pod otherwise pinnate Arabis sp. Parrya (see above, teal) nudicaulis *Gravelly and disturbed areas Pg. 12 CAROPHYLLACEAE Sepals and petals free, not united below
Petals deeply notched, or none Petals entire or shallowly notched
5 Styles, capsule 3 Styles, capsule Leaves more broad Leaves linear cylindrical egg‐shaped Leaves firm Petals white Wilhelmsia physodes Flower buds spherical, Flower buds oblong, Petals white, 4‐5 styles 3 Styles Inflorescence small flowers small Capsule Stems Leaves 3‐nerved cyme, 3‐6 flowers inflated Sepals purple, Sepals longer Leaves lack petiole hairless 4 Petals, petals white white than petals Cerastium Stellaria laeta beeringianum Petals white Leaves hairy on Leaves shiny both sides Minuartia rubella Tufted, reddish green Leaves soft Leaves 1‐nerved, or Stems hairy Sagina intermedia Stellaria humifusa Leaves appearing nerveless *Matted opposite Stems and Petals white, bilobed leaves Leaves Stems hairless crowded, oval hairless Stem hairless Leaves trigonous Petals white, Minuartia rossii deep cleft Capsule not Leaves limp, inflated Leaves stiff drooping
Leaves linear, oblong Leaves yellow‐green Honckenya peploides Minuartia Stem hairless Stems and obtusiloba Stellaria crassifolia leaves hairy Leaves soft
Sepals united into a tube, flowers bell shaped
Plant not forming cushion Plant forming dense cushion Minuartia arctica
Flowers nodding, Flowers upright’ Silene acaulis petals purple petals white to pink Leaves linear, flat Stem purplish Sepals purple veined Flowers Stem with Melandrium dark purple white hairs taylorae
Melandrium Shorter Taller than apetalum than 30cm 30cm Melandrium Petals pink or Basal leaves Leaves affine pale purple many, larger narrow than stem leaves *Forms flat cushions Sepals green veined Melandrium triflorum Basal leaves *Tufted linear Stem hairy Pg. 13 FABACEAE Leaves palmate
Flowers bluish‐ purple
Basal leaves have long petiole
Leaves with hairs only on lower surface
Lupinus arcticus
Leaves pinnate
Legumes divided into sections Legumes not divided
Leaflets thin Leaflets thick Keel blunt Keel with pointed tip Flowers Flowers pale Flowers deep purple Flowers purple pink or bluish‐violet pale Hedysarum purple mackenzii
Leaves bright green, hairless on both sides Underside Leaves purplish, Stipules Stems grow of leaves Densely boat shaped gray flat along hairy tufted Oxytropis nigrescens ground Astragalus alpinus Lateral veins Leaves with prominent gray hairs on Flowers underside Hedysarum alpinum yellow
Stems upright
Leaves dark green, hairs on underside only Astragalus umbellatus Pg. 14 POLYGONACEAE 3 petal‐like sepals, plant only a few centimeters tall
Flowers in umbel‐ like clusters Bracts small, leafy
Ochrea Leaves few, lack petiole
Koenigia islandica
More than 3 petal‐like sepals, larger plants
4 or 6 sepals 5 sepals
Leaves kidney shaped Leaves oblong, oval Spike narrow and longer Spike wider and shorter Flowers white Flowers pink 4 sepals 6 sepals or light pink Flowers small, Inflorescence reddish Bulbils present deep red Bulbils lacking Stem usually Stem leafless Leaves mostly with 1 or 2 or with few Leaves dark basal short petioled leaves green above, leaves greyish below
Leaves heart Leaves dark Winged shaped green, fleshy Basal leaves with petioles long petioles Rhizome thick, Long petioles contorted Oxyria digyna Rumex arcticus Polygonum viviparum Polygonum bistorta Pg. 15 RANUNCULACEAE Petals present
Flowers blue or purple, 4 petals Flowers yellow or white, 5 petals
Sepals bluish Grows in tufts Doesn’t grow in tufts purple Flowers Petals shorter Terrestrial Amphibious Leaves Primary divisions of irregular than sepals Petals pale deeply Stem hairy yellow or leaves entire cleft white Flowers white Leaves with 5‐7 Leaves deeply main lobes cleft, 3‐5 lobes Stem Petals pale Stem with hairless, yellow one or no fleshy Ranunculus pygmaeus leaves Delphinium brachycentrum Petals longer Long than sepals petioles Ranunculus pallasii Petals five, Ranunculus lapponicus Flowers yellow dark yellow Leaves small, lobed Leaves deeply lobed, 3 lobes Ranunculus hyperboreus Ranunculus nivalis *Densely matted Primary divisions of leaves again divided Ranunculus gmelinii Flowers yellow Leaves alternate, 3‐parted, then divided again Leaves mostly on flowering stem Stem hairless or slightly pubescent Petals lacking, sepals resemble petals
Sepals white or pale blue Sepals yellow
Grows in tufts Does not grow in tufts Leaves heart Sepals pale blue Stem dark Sepals white, silky, shaped brown tinged blue beneath Stem leaves lack petiole Stem with Leaf margins Leaves white hairs with rounded Leaves and divided Leaf lobes serrations stem hairy into 3‐4 bluntly toothed linear Basal leaves segments Leaves dark long petioled green, shiny
Anemone drummondii Anemone parviflora Caltha palustris Pg. 16 ROSACEAE Leaves simple
Petals white Berries orange to red colored Leaves dark green, purple tinged
Leaves 5‐lobed, serrated, leathery Rubus chamaemorus
Leaves compound
Petals reddish purple to dark red Petals white, cream, or yellow
Leaves pinnate, 5 or more leaflets Leaves with 3 leaflets
Petals shorter than sepals Leaflets with short, soft Leaflets more densely hairy Potentilla palustris hairs on lower surface on lower surface Petals pale yellow Stems dark Petals yellow Potentilla uniflora reddish *Densely tufted Leaves dark Leaflets reddish above, Flowers usually toothed solitary, or 2‐3 pale below Stem hairy Brown or Leaves serrate, blackened 5‐7 pinnate remains of Stipules large, Leaves green leaves Dark red rusty brown above, paler leaf bases below Sepals narrowly Potentilla pulchella Potentilla hyparctica triangular
Flowers in clusters, yellow Leaflets ovate, deeply toothed
Loosely tufted
Potentilla hookeriana Pg. 17 SAXIFRAGACEAE Petals lacking
Flowers in cluster Sepals green
Leaves rounded, lobed, thin
Chrysoplenium tetrandum
Petals present
Plant completely hairless Plant has hairs
5 petals 3 petals 5 stamen 10 stamen Inflorescence spikelike Petals white, long Petals shorter than sepals Petals SAXIFRAGA purplish See Saxifraga key Petals Petals longer Leaves white Leaf than sepals kidney margins shaped crenate
Leaves ovate, Stem slender, Leaves short petioled, leafless broadly nearly sessile ovate
Parnassia Parnassia palustris kotzebuei Boykinia richardsonii SAXIFRAGA Leaves Toothed or Lobed Pg. 18
Flowering stem with many leaves Flowering stem with few to no leaves
Lacking petiole Petiole Leaves Round Leaves Oblong
Petals white, Petals Sepals purple white One terminal More than one S. punctata flower* flower Stem Inflorescence Stem hairy Numerous white Petals spikelike hairy Red flowers white Petals purple bulbets S.caespitosa Stem may at tip, green S. cernua at base Bracts be hairy leaf‐like Leaves 3‐5 Leaves broad, *May get Winged Basal leaves lobed margins crenate flowers here, but petiole form tight not common cushion S. foliolosa Petals Petals white 0 white Leaves 3‐5 to pink with 2 Sepals All leaves lobed yellow Broad green to basal purple All leaves spots petiole S. hieracifolia basal S. rivularis S. reflexa
Leaves 3‐7 No distinct lobed petiole Petals Bulbets Dense white lacking cluster of with Leaves flowers at pink tip Stem hairy with tip hairs on both sides Leaves leathery Underside of leaves Leaves Entire hairless S. nivalis
Leaves Opposite Leaves Alternate
Stolons Lacking stolons Flowers Petals Leaves light pink yellow scale‐like to purple Petals yellow Stem S. bronchialis Stems Leaves leafy Petals Leaves on Stem has woody overlapping Leaves white, often stem lack reddish‐ form basal with purple petiole brown hairs rosette spots Leaves on Long, Stem hairless stem lack slender Forms thick except in petiole stolons mat or cushion inflorescence S. hirculus S. oppositifolia S. flagellaris Pg. 19 SCROPHULARIACEAE 2 Stamen
Petals violet to blue
Leafy bracts purple or blue
*Plant hairless
Lagotis glauca
4 Stamen
Leaves entire Leaves dissected or toothed
Leaves on stem whorled Leaves on stem otherwise Petals green or yellow Petals yellow Petals pink or purple Upper Petals purple Upper part of leaves taper to rose pink Upper part of flower dark in to long flower with purple tail‐like tip Calyx with 5 toothed beak triangular teeth Stem Head with purplish Leaves deeply few flowers *If stem has hairs, lobed, lobes Pedicularis only on upper part toothed Upper leaves sudetica lack petiole Long petiole Castilleja caudata Pedicularis lapponica Upper part of Pedicularis verticillata flower pink Flower Many beakless flowers Spike wooly Petals with rose or purple Pedicularis Leaves tint at tip have petiole, kanei mostly basal Upper part Pedicularis capitata of flower pink Spike hairless *Basal leaves long petioled Pedicularis langsdorfii Pg. 20 OTHER FORBS MONOCOTS
Flowers irregular Flowers regular
Flowers solitary or few Flowers numerous Corallorrhiza trifida Lateral petals yellow‐green, lip white, sometimes with Flowers white or Flowers purplish brown purple spots greenish‐yellow Flower cream with Raceme inflorescence Stem purplish purplish veins, Stem yellowish‐green Plant somewhat solitary dull grayish‐blue
Stems leafless, but **Poisonous** sheaths present Leaves narrow, grasslike Bracts present Leafy bracts Rhizome coral‐like present Zygadenus elegans Leaves in fan‐like Lloydia serotina tufts Tofieldia coccinea
Stem leafless Stem green
Leaves in fan‐like tufts
Tofieldia pusilla
DICOTS (organized by family)
APIACEAE
Basal leaves simple, entire Basal leaves compound Flowers yellow, Flowers yellow sometimes blotched with Compound purple umbel Compound umbel Leaves doubly pinnate
Leaves oblong Bupleurum americanum Cnidium cnidiifolium Pg. 21 DICOTS cont. BORAGINACEAE
Flowers nodding Flowers not nodding
Leaves hairless Leaves with hairs Flowers scarcely Stems 5‐10cm high Few blue flowers exceeding leaves Flowers Stem Leaves densely blue Flowers leaves Flowers blue Basal overlapping blue reduced leaves Leaves fleshy, long dull grey‐blue petiolate Leaves oval, Base of stem pointed at lies flat on each end ground Leaves covered *Grows along ground* with grey hairs Mertensia maritima Mertensia drummondii Eritichium chamissonis Eritichium aretoides
CAMPANULACEAE FUMARIACEAE
Leaves entire Leaves dentate Flowers irregular Flowers funnel shaped Flowers Flowers bell blue shaped Petals sky blue Flowers blue
Leaves mainly basal
Campanula Leaves Leaves dark green lasiocarpa compound Campanula uniflora Corydalis pauciflora
GENTIANACEAE HIPPURIDACEAE
Flowers blue‐green to Flowers pale blue to yellow white *Aquatic*
5 sepals Terminal flowers 6‐12 leaves larger than lateral per whorl 2‐3 pairs of stem leaves 4 sepals Leaves Basal leaves whorled Corolla tubular blue‐green, shiny Hippuris vulgaris Basal leaves elliptic, often form rosette Gentiana glauca Gentianella propinqua DICOTS cont. ONAGRACEAE Pg. 22
Stem leaves ovate or Stem leaves linear elliptic
Flowers white Flowers rose to pink pink to purple Stem stiff
Stem green or reddish Leaves linear, Leaves lack petiole opposite
Epilobium anagallidifolium Epilobium palustre
PAPAVERACEAE PLANTAGINACEAE
Capsule slender or Capsule oval, broadest oblong, broadest at top at middle Inflorescence spike‐like
Papaver macounnellii Petals white with a Petals yellow Flowers creamy‐white salmon or rose tint Capsule Petals yellow, cylindrical edges often <12cm Papaver scalloped tall Plantago hultenii Petals Capsule canescens Stems mostly entire pear‐shaped Leaves oval, solitary form rosette
Leaves grey‐green Leaf lobes widely Papaver alboresum separated Leaf lobes not widely separated Papaver lapponicum
PLUMBAGINACEAE POLEMONIACEAE
Leaves hairless Leaves with hairs Flowers blue Flowers blue to violet Inflorescence to violet Flowers spherical Petals rose hairless Stem leafless pink Petals with small hairs Leaves Stem hairy linear *Leaves mostly basal*
Polemonium Armeria maritima acutiflorum Polemonium boreale DICOTS cont. Pg. 23 PRIMULACEAE
Petals reflexed Petals not reflexed
Leaves larger, not Leaves smaller, overlapping overlapping Flowers white Flowers Flowers lavender to cream, magenta to or white, throat yellow at base lavender yellow Androsace Dodecathon Sepals green with chamaejasme frigidum purple stripes Stem Leaves elliptic hairy
Leaves oval, margins wavy Flowers Primula white egaliksensis Stem hairless Leaves reddish
Androsace PYROLACEAE septentrolalis
Inflorescence with flowers Inflorescence cylindrical on one side Flowers Flowers whitish creamy green white Leaves leathery, Leaves edges rounded, serrated nearly entire
Pyrola secunda Pyrola grandiflora
RUBIACEAE VALERIANACEAE
Petals Flowers white pink to white Stem square Leaves on stem lack Leaves petiole whorled Leaves opposite
Galium boreale Valeriana capitata Dodecathon frigidum 23 Papaver macounnellii 22 Saxifraga hirculus 18 Draba cinerea 10 Parnassia kotzebuei 17 Saxifraga nivalis 18 Draba fladnizensis 10 Parnassia palustris 17 Saxifraga nivalis 18 Draba hirta 10 Parrya nudicaulis 10 Saxifraga oppositifolia 18 Draba lactea 10 Parrya nudicaulis 11 Saxifraga punctata 18 Draba longpipes 10 Pedicularis capitata 19 Saxifraga reflexa 18 Draba longpipes 10 Pedicularis kanei 19 Senecio atropurpureus 9 Draba micropetala 10 Pedicularis lapponica 19 Senecio congestus 9 Draba nivalis 10 Pedicularis longsdorfii 19 Senecio hyperborealis 9 Epilobium anagallidifolium 22 Pedicularis sudetica 19 Senecio lugens 9 Epilobium palustre 22 Pedicularis verticillata 19 Silene acaulis 12 Erigeron eriocephalus 9 Petasites frigidus 9 Solidago multiradiata 9 Erigeron humilis 9 Petasites hyperboreus 9 Stellaria crassifolia 12 Erigeron hyperboreus 9 Plantago canescens 22 Stellaria humifusa 12 Eritichium aretoides 21 Polemonium acutiflorum 22 Stellaria laeta 12 Eritichium chamissonis 21 Polemonium boreale 22 Taraxacum alaskanum 8 Eutrema edwardsii 11 Polygonum arcticus 14 Taraxacum certophorum 8 Galium boreale 23 Polygonum bistorta 14 Tofieldia coccinea 20 Gentiana glauca 21 Polygonum viviparum 14 Tofieldia pusilla 20 Gentianella propinqua 21 Potentilla hookeriana 16 Tripleurospermum phaeocephalum 9 Hedusarum mackenzii 13 Potentilla hyparctica 16 Valeriana capitata 23 Hedysarum alpinum 13 Potentilla palustris 16 Wilhelmsia physodes 12 Hippuris vulgaris 21 Potentilla pulchella 16 Zygadenus elegans 20 Honckenya peploides 12 Potentilla uniflora 16
Koenigia islandica 14 Primula egaliksensis 23 Lagotis glauca 19 Pyrola grandifolia 23 Lloydia serotina 20 Pyrola secunda 23 Lupinus arcticus 13 Ranunculus gmelinii 15 Melandrium affine 12 Ranunculus hyperboreus 15 Melandrium apetalum 12 Ranunculus lapponicus 15 Melandrium taylorae 12 Ranunculus nivalis 15 Melandrium trifolium 12 Ranunculus pallasii 15 Mertensia drummondii 21 Ranunculus pygmaeus 15 Mertensia maritima 21 Rubus chamaemorus 16 Minuartia arctica 12 Rumex arcticus 14 Minuartia obtusiloba 12 Sagina intermedia 12 Minuartia rossii 12 Saussurea angustifolia 8 Minuartia rubella 12 Saxifraga bronchialis 18 Oxyria digyna 14 Saxifraga caespitosa 18 Oxytropis nigrescens 13 Saxifraga cernua 18 Papaver alboresum 22 Saxifraga flagellaris 18 Papaver hultenii 22 Saxifraga foliolosa 18 Papaver lapponicum 22 Saxifraga hieracifolia 18 Species Page Carex ramenskii 5 Vaccinium vitis‐idaea 6 Agropyron boreale 1 Carex rariflora 5 Ameria maritimia 22 Alopecurus alpines 1 Carex rotundata 5 Androsace chamaejasme 23 Arctograstis latifolia 1 Carex rupestris 4 Androsace septentrolalis 23 Arctophila fulva 2 Carex saxitilis 5 Anemone drummondii 15 Bromus pumpellianus 2 Carex scirpoidea 4 Anemone parvifolia 15 Calamagrostis Canadensis 1 Carex stans 5 Antennaria friesiana 8 Calamagrostis holmii 1 Carex subspathacea 5 Antennaria monocephala 8 Calamagrostis inexpansa 1 Carex ursina 4 Arabis arenicola 11 Calamagrostis purpurascens 1 Eriophorum angustifolium 3 Arabis arenicola 11 Deschampsia brevifolia 2 Eriophorum russeolum 3 Arabis lyrata 11 Dupontia fisheri 2 Eriophorum triste 3 Arnica alpina 9 Elymus arenarius 1 Eriophorum vaginatum 3 Arnica lessingii 9 Elymus arenarius 1 Juncus arcticus 3 Artemisia arctica 8 Festuca altaica 2 Juncus biglumis 3 Artemisia borealis 8 Festuca brachyphilla 2 Juncus triglumis 3 Artemisia glomerata 8 Festuca rubra 2 Kobresia myosuroides 3 Artemisia tilesii 8 Hierochloe alpina 2 Kobresia sibirica 3 Aster sibiricus 9 Hierochloe pauciflora 2 Luzula arctica 3 Astragalus alpines 13 Koeleria asiatica 2 Luzula confusa 3 Astragalus umbellatus 13 Phippsia algida 1 Luzula wahlenbergii 3 Boykinia richardsonii 17 Poa alpigena 2 Andromeda polifolia 6 Braya humilis 10 Poa alpina 2 Arctostaphylos alpina 6 Braya pilosa 10 Poa arctica 2 Betula nana 6 Braya purpurascens 10 Poa glauca 2 Cassiope tetragona 6 Bupleurum americanum 20 Puccinellia borealis 2 Diapensia lapponica 6 Caltha palustris 15 Puccinellia langeana 2 Dryas integrifolia 6 Campanula lasiocarpa 21 Puccinellia phyrganodes 2 Empetrum nigrum 6 Campanula uniflora 21 Trisetum spicatum 2 Ledum palustre 6 Cardamine bellidifolia 11 Carex aquatilis 5 Rhododendron lapponicum 6 Cardamine hyperborea 11 Carex bigelowii 5 Salix arctia 7 Cardamine pratensis 11 Carex capillaries 5 Salix brachycarpa 7 Cardamine pratensis 11 Carex capitata 4 Salix fuscescens 7 Castilleja caudata 19 Carex chordorrhiza 4 Salix glauca 7 Cerastium beeringianum 12 Carex glareosa 4 Salix hastata 7 Chrysanthemum integreifolium 9 Carex holostoma 5 Salix lanata 7 Chrysoplenium tetrandum 17 Carex krausei 5 Salix ovalifolia 7 Cnidium cnidiifolium 20 Carex lachenalii 4 Salix phlebophylla 7 Cochlearia officinalis 10 Carex maritima 4 Salix pseudopolaris 7 Corallorrhiza trifida 20 Carex misandra 5 Salix pulchra 7 Corydalis pauciflora 21 Carex nardina 4 Salix reticulata 7 Delphinium brachycentrum 15 Carex obtusata 4 Salix rotundifolia 7 Descurainia sophoides 11 Carex podocarpa 5 Vaccinium uliginosum 6