Fruiting heads grouped into conceptacles or clusters surrounded by ±fused bracts, often forming burrs, or spiny, sessile in the axils of leaves along the stems (male capitula sometimes in terminal or axillary ±spikelike clusters)Fruiting heads not axillary conceptacles or burrs, or if with stiff barbed bristles, then in terminal headsLeaves opposite, sometimes alternate aboveLeaves alternate or in basal rosetteLeaves deeply dividedLeaves entire, toothed or rarely shallowly lobedFruits achenes with 2 terminal spines in heads surrounded by loose bractsFruits achenes enclosed in spiny conceptacle of fused bracts[link through]Leaves deeply dividedLeaves entire, toothed, or if lobed or pinnately divided then fruits covered with hooked spinesFlower heads with all florets with raysFlower heads with a mixture of ray and tubular/filiform florets, or all tubular/filiform floretsFlorets blue or violet, rarely whiteFlorets (at least outer ones) yellow to orangePappus of plumose hairs (marginal achenes sometimes not plumose)Pappus of minute scalesLeaves linear, grass-like, entireLeaves oblong, margins toothed, sinuate or pinnatifid[link through]Receptacle paleateReceptacle epaleateStems winged; plants spinyStems without wings; soft herbsInvolucral bracts in 1 whorl (2 whorls in Leontodon, but outer whorl tiny)Involucral bracts in more than 1 whorl, usually gradatePappus hairs plumosePappus of scales or bristlesLeaves oblanceolate to lyrate, margins toothed to pinnatisectLeaves linear, grass-like, entireAll leaves in a basal rosetteLeaves basal and/or caulineOuter involucral bracts spreading or recurved at maturityAll bracts clasping and tightly appressedInner involucral bracts in several series; achene usually beakedInner involucral bracts in 2 series; achenes unbeaked[link through]Pappus of plumose hairs on central achenes only (scales on outer ones)Pappus of bristles or scalesPappus of long scales or of bristles broader at the basePappus of scabrid bristles which are not broader at base[link through]Taprooted perennial herbs; achenes usually beakedStoloniferous herb, rooting at nodes; achenes not beaked[link through]Achenes beaked apicallyAchenes not beaked, abruptly constricted apically or gradually taperingPappus hairs plumosePappus hairs simple or at most minutely scabridulousOuter involucral bracts conspicuously cordate to broadly ovateOuter involucral bracts not broadly ovate or cordate[link through]Achenes strongly compressedAchenes not compressedAchene with 1 or more rings of teeth (scales) below beakAchenes without teeth below beak[link through]Inner involucral bracts hardened All involucral bracts soft [link through]Achenes strongly compressedAchenes not or hardly compressedAchenes elongate-ellipticAchenes flask-shaped[link through]Pappus of plumose hairsPappus of bristles, scales or absent[link through]Pappus absentPappus present, rarely absent and then achene 4-ribbed[link through]Pappus of scales (inner achene pappus scales sometimes awned)Pappus of bristles or absentAchenes with 6 to several ribsAchenes rough and 4-ribbed or 4-angledStellate hairs presentStellate hairs absentStolons absent; basal leaves with an abrupt transition from petiole to blade; upper stem and peduncles lacking long non-glandular hairs; achenes > 2.5 mm long, the ribs apically confluent in an obscure ring; pappus-bristles in two rows, the hairs unequalLeafy stolons present; basal leaves tapering gradually to base; achenes < 2.5 mm long, the ribs projecting distally to form a crenulate apex; pappus hairs in 1 row with a few shorter than the rest[link through]Stem leaves with clasping auriclesStem leaves lacking clasping auriclesPappus of numerous long bristlesPappus of a single row of minute bristles, inner achenes with additional 2–5 longer ones[link through]Pappus scale-like, broadened at basePappus of fine silky hairsAll florets tubular and/or filiform, or ray florets with short inconspicuous rays (<3 mm long); involucral bracts sometimes coloured and spreading, resembling raysOuter florets with obvious rays (> 3mm long)Styles with a tuft of hairs below the stigmatic branches; receptacles paleate with scales or bristles (receptacle with a single floret in Echinops); leaves usually spine-tipped (spiny thistles)Styles lacking tuft of hairs below stigmatic branches; receptacles epaleate, or if with scales then leaves opposite and not spiny (Parthenium has alternate leaves, deciduous paleae; Pilbara has paleae and alternate leaves)Receptacle epaleate, glabrousReceptacle paleate with scales or setaeHeads simple, each an individual multi-floretted capitulumHeads compound, of many 1-floretted capitula[link through]Receptacle with scalesReceptacle with setaeFloret corollas yellowFloret corollas purple, pink or white[link through]Achenes cylindrical or 4-ribbedAchenes compressed or flatAchenes cylindrical; plants with latexAchenes 4-ribbed; plants lacking latex[link through][link through]Leaves lobed and spinyLeaves scarcely lobed, lacking spinesInvolucral bracts with a terminal spine onlyInvolucral bracts with a terminal spine and 2–8 lateral spinules[link through]Involucral bracts leaf-like and looseInvolucral bracts scale-like and more or less appressedAchenes compressed, flatAchenes 4-angledAchenes obliquely attached to receptacleAchenes vertically attached to receptaclePappus deciduousPappus persistent, rarely absentPappus absentPappus persistentAchenes smooth or sulcate, never foveolateAchenes diversely ridged, ribbed or foveolateAnnual to 80 cm tallPerennial to 150 cm tall[link through]Achenes compressedAchenes terete;Pappus 1–3.5 mm longPappus 15–40 mm longLeaves uniformly green on upper surfaceLeaves white-veined or variegated on upper surface[link through][link through]Pappus hairs simple or barbellatePappus hairs plumose[link through]Leaves opposite, at least towards base of plantLeaves alternate (spirally arranged) or in a basal rosetteLeaves opposite at least basally, rarely in whorlsLeaves alternate and/or rosulateHeads compoundHeads simpleInflorescence loosely spike-like, with heads of 1–6 capitula each with 4 floretsInflorescence a dense compound head[link through]Corolla 4 lobed Corolla 5-lobed ±equisized (if fewer lobes then not split)Secondary involucre (sometimes small) of densely clustered leaves and/or bracts enclosing compound headsSecondary involucre absent, with just a few loosely arranged leaves below the compound headLeaves opposite petiolateLeaves alternate radicle or opposite sessileCompound head surrounded by numerous white or yellow scalesCompound head surrounded by few scales or leavesReceptacle paleateReceptacle epaleateCorolla hairyCorolla glabrousOuter florets female and/or all florets filiformAll florets tubular and bisexualPlant stemlessPlants with erect stemsPappus plumose, as long as or longer than corolla; plants prostratePappus absent, or of various types, but if as long as corolla, plants erectGlabrous erect herb dichotomously branching from below terminal capitulumUsually hairy herbs, iregularly branching, lateral ininflorescences rarely overtopping terminal onesIndividual capitulum with all florets alike (homogamous)Individual capitula with 2 types of florets (heterogamous)Achenes tapering into a terminal beakAchenes more or less abruptly constricted below pappusStems wingedStems not winged (if leaves decurrent, not along whole internode)Pappus bristle-likePappus absentLeaves lobed or deeply dividedLeaves entire or toothedPappus absent or of very short hairs or scalesPappus hair-like, or with bristles longer than half the length of the acheneWater plant with soft branches; involucral bracts 4Delicate terrestrial plant with stiffly erect branches; involucral bracts many[link through]Upper leaves clasping stem; pappus of fine hairsAll leaves not clasping; pappus of few bristlesInvolucral bracts fused into tube; plant with pungent smellInvolucral bracts free; plant usually odourlessPappus absent or very smallPappus at least half as long as acheneCapitulum covered with glandular hairsCapitulum without glandsCapitula axillary and sessile in axils of leavesCapitula terminal and more or less stalkedSwamp plants; involucral bracts 4, outer 2 longer than inner twoPlants of dry land; involucral bracts 2 or many (never 4)Florets 4 per capitulum; pappus of 2 awns fused to wings; involucral bracts 2Florets 7–50 per capitulum; pappus absent; involucral bracts many[link through][link through]Pappus absentPappus of small scales or a lacerate crown[link through]Florets numerous in each capitulumFlorets few (c. 5 or 6) per capitulumRay florets absent; disc florets usually blue to mauve, sometimes whiteRay florets present, with white ligules to c. 1.8 mm long; disc florets whitish[link through]Capitula with 4 or 5 floretsCapitula with numerous floretsPappus of numerous bristlesPappus of 3 bristles alternating with 3 scales[link through]Involucral bracts membranousInvolucral bracts herbaceous, sometimes with membranous marginsPappus hairs gland-tippedPappus hairs without glandsLeaves linear to oblong, entire, sometimes narrowly pinnatifidLeaves (or leaflets) lanceolate to ovate, toothed or serrate, or entireInvolucral bracts linear to linear-lanceolate or oblongInvolucral bracts broadAchenes flattened and wingedAchenes ±cylindrical, unwinged[link through]Achenes with a long elongate beak, curled into an inverted J-shapeAchenes more or less truncate, not beakedAwns spreading at c. 90º to body of achene, or reflexedAwns erect or only slightly divergingLeaves (at least upper ones) compound, trifoliate, entireLeaves simple, toothed or serrate[link through]Pappus of scalesPappus of hairs or bristlesPappus of 2–4 bristlesPappus of many fine hairs[link through]Perennial herbs; involucral bracts in 1 or 2 whorlsShrubs; involucral bracts in 4–7 whorlsLeaves hirsute and gland-dotted on both surfaces; achenes attached laterally to conical receptacleLeaves sparsely hairy above, more densely below, not gland-dotted; achenes attached terminally to flat receptacle[link through]Pappus purplish-mauvePappus white or almost soFlorets pink, or yellow-orange to orange, or reddish brownFlorets usually yellow or white (rarely pink or purple)Leaves clasping upper stems; florets pinkLeaves not clasping stems; florets yellow-orange to reddish brown (sometimes drying pink)Leaves more or less sessile, lacking a pair of stipule-like lobesLeaves petiolate, lamina often with a pair of stipule-like lobes[link through][link through]Annual herbsClimbers, perennial herbs, shrubs or small treesClimbers to 3 mPerennial herbs, shrubs or small trees[link through]Lower leaf surface, peduncles & capitula densely woolly; shrubs or treesLower leaf surfaces, peduncles & capitula not densely woolly; herbs, or if shrubs or small trees, leaves glabrousLeaves glabrous, viscid, gland-dotted; shrubs or small treesLeaves hairy, or if glabrous, not viscid and gland-dotted; perennial herbsCapitula disciform; outer florets with a rudimentary ligule c. 1 mm long; central bisexual or functionally male florets 2–5Capitula discoid, or if disciform then outer florets without a ligule; central bisexual florets usually more than 5[link through]Involucral bracts ±equisized and fused in a single whorl, sometimes with a few very short bracts at base; flower heads simple capitulaInvolucral bracts usually gradated, in 2 or more whorls and free, or flower heads compoundLeaves opposite at least basally, rarely in whorlsLeaves alternate and/or rosulateHeads compoundHeads simpleInflorescence loosely spike-like, with heads of 1–6 capitula each with 4 floretsInflorescence a dense compound head[link through]Corolla 4 lobed Corolla 5-lobed ±equisized (if fewer lobes then not split)Secondary involucre (sometimes small) of densely clustered leaves and/or bracts enclosing compound headsSecondary involucre absent, with just a few loosely arranged leaves below the compound headLeaves opposite and petiolateLeaves alternate and radicle, or opposite and sessileCompound head surrounded by numerous white or yellow scalesCompound head surrounded by few scales or leavesReceptacle paleateReceptacle epaleateCorolla hairyCorolla glabrousOuter florets female and/or all florets filiformAll florets tubular and bisexualPlant stemlessPlants with erect stemsPappus plumose, as long as or longer than corolla; plants prostratePappus absent, or of various types, but if as long as corolla, plants erectGlabrous erect herb dichotomously branching from below terminal capitulumUsually hairy herbs, irregularly branching, lateral ininflorescences rarely overtopping terminal onesIndividual capitulum with all florets alike (homogamous)Individual capitula with 2 types of florets (heterogamous)Achenes tapering into a terminal beakAchenes more or less abruptly constricted below pappusStems wingedStems not winged (if leaves decurrent, not along whole internode)Pappus bristle-likePappus absentLeaves lobed or deeply dividedLeaves entire or toothedPappus absent or of very short hairs or scalesPappus hair-like, or with bristles longer than half the length of the acheneWater plant with soft branches; involucral bracts 4Delicate terrestrial plant with stiffly erect branches; involucral bracts many[link through]Upper leaves clasping stem; pappus of fine hairsAll leaves not clasping; pappus of few bristlesInvolucral bracts fused into tube; plant with pungent smellInvolucral bracts free; plant usually odourlessPappus absent or very smallPappus at least half as long as acheneCapitulum covered with glandular hairsCapitulum without glandsCapitula axillary and sessile in axils of leavesCapitula terminal and more or less stalkedSwamp plants; involucral bracts 4, outer 2 longer than inner twoPlants of dry land; involucral bracts 2 or many (never 4)Florets 4 per capitulum; pappus of 2 awns fused to wings; involucral bracts 2Florets 7–50 per capitulum; pappus absent; involucral bracts many[link through][link through]Pappus absentPappus of small scales or a lacerate crown[link through]Florets numerous in each capitulumFlorets few (c. 5 or 6) per capitulumRay florets absent; disc florets usually blue to mauve, sometimes whiteRay florets present, with white ligules to c. 1.8 mm long; disc florets whitish[link through]Capitula with 4 or 5 floretsCapitula with numerous floretsPappus of numerous bristlesPappus of 3 bristles alternating with 3 scales[link through]Involucral bracts membranousInvolucral bracts herbaceous, sometimes with membranous marginsPappus hairs gland-tippedPappus hairs without glandsLeaves linear to oblong, entire, sometimes narrowly pinnatifidLeaves (or leaflets) lanceolate to ovate, toothed or serrate, or entireInvolucral bracts linear to linear-lanceolate or oblongInvolucral bracts broadAchenes flattened and wingedAchenes ±cylindrical, unwinged[link through]Achenes with a long elongate beak, curled into an inverted J-shapeAchenes more or less truncate, not beakedAwns spreading at c. 90º to body of achene, or reflexedAwns erect or only slightly divergingLeaves (at least upper ones) compound, trifoliate, entireLeaves simple, toothed or serrate[link through]Pappus of scalesPappus of hairs or bristlesPappus of 2–4 bristlesPappus of many fine hairs[link through]Perennial herbs; involucral bracts in 1 or 2 whorlsShrubs; involucral bracts in 4–7 whorlsLeaves hirsute and gland-dotted on both surfaces; achenes attached laterally to conical receptacleLeaves sparsely hairy above, more densely below, not gland-dotted; achenes atached terminally to flat receptacle[link through]Pappus purplish-mauvePappus white or almost soFlorets pink, or yellow-orange to orange, or reddish brownFlorets usually yellow or white (rarely pink or purple)Leaves clasping upper stems; florets pinkLeaves not clasping stems; florets yellow-orange to reddish brown (sometimes drying pink)Leaves more or less sessile, lacking a pair of stiplule-like lobesLeaves petiolate, lamina often with a pair of stipule-like lobes[link through][link through]Annual herbsClimbers, perennial herbs, shrubs or small treesClimbers to 3 mPerennial herbs, shrubs or small trees[link through]Lower leaf surface, peduncles & capitula densely woolly; shrubs or treesLower leaf surfaces, peduncles Leaves glabrous, viscid, gland-dotted; shrubs or small treesLeaves hairy, or if glabrous, not viscid and gland-dotted; perennial herbsCapitula disciform; outer florets with a rudimentary ligule c. 1 mm long; central bisexual or functionally male florets 2–5Capitula discoid, or if disciform then outer florets without a ligule; central bisexual florets usually more than 5[link through]Flower heads compound, with capitula tightly clustered and densely surrounded by scales and leaves, rarely scales and leaves absentFlower heads not as above (usually of single capitula), sessile or stalkedInflorescence loosely spike-like, with heads of 1–6 capitula each with 4 floretsInflorescence a dense compound head[link through]Corolla 4 lobed Corolla 5-lobed ±equisized (if fewer lobes then not split)Secondary involucre (sometimes small) of densely clustered leaves and/or bracts enclosing compound headsSecondary involucre absent, with just a few loosely arranged leaves below the compound headLeaves opposite petiolateLeaves alternate radicle or opposite sessileCompound head surrounded by numerous white or yellow scalesCompound head surrounded by few scales or leavesReceptacle paleateReceptacle epaleateCorolla hairyCorolla glabrousOuter florets female and/or all florets filiformAll florets tubular and bisexualPlant stemlessPlants with erect stemsPappus plumose, as long as or longer than corolla; plants prostratePappus absent, or of various types, but if as long as corolla, plants erectGlabrous erect herb dichotomously branching from below terminal capitulumUsually hairy herbs, iregularly branching, lateral ininflorescences rarely overtopping terminal onesIndividual capitulum with all florets alike (homogamous)Individual capitula with 2 types of florets (heterogamous)Achenes tapering into a terminal beakAchenes more or less abruptly constricted below pappusStems wingedStems not winged (if leaves decurrent, not along whole internode)Pappus bristle-likePappus absentInvolucral bracts herbaceous, rarely with membranous margins, and tip appressedAt least some (often all) involucral bracts dry, papery and/or membranous or cartilagineous, and apices often recurved or spreading, mimicing ray floretsPappus absent or cup-shaped (absent on achenes)Pappus presentAchenes beakedAchenes not beaked, more or less abruptly constricted towards apexAchenes cylindrical; plants erectAchenes compressed; plants with basal rosette, rarely almost erectRay floret corollas blue to purpleRay floret corollas yellow or white, rarely tinged red, or lacking ray florets (Centipeda, Abrotanella)Achenes smoothAchenes ribbed or angledAchenes usually 4-angled or ribbedAchenes with 8–10 ribs[link through]Outer involucral bracts leaf-like All involucral bracts shorter than floretsInvolucral bracts leaf-like; florets subtended by paleaeInvolucral bracts herbaceous; paleae minute or absentAchenes terete or 3- or more angledAchenes compressed but often ribbedLeaves entire or almost so (minutely denticulate in Abrotonella forsteroides)Leaves toothed or deeply dividedAll florets bisexualOuter florets female; inner florets bisexual or maleInner florets bisexualInner florets maleLeaves with a few teeth towards apex or evenly serrate, but never deeply dividedLeaves deeply dividedPlants usually >50 cm tallPlants usually <50 cm tallSubshrubsAnnual herbsPlants glabrous; disc greenishPlants sparsely hairy; disc yellowOuter florets with short raysOuter florets tubular or filiform[link through]All florets tubularOuter florets filiform or reducedPappus of bristle-like hairsPappus absent or minuteCapitula sessile, achenes spinous apicallyCapitula on distinct peduncle; achenes lacking spinesAchenes with 2 ciliate horns on both sides of apexAchenes with 2 spiny wings and spinescent syleAll leaves in basal rosetteLeaves basal and caulineInvolucral bracts leaf-like and spreadingInvolucral bracts short and more or less appressed[link through]Pappus of at least fertile flowers scale-likePappus hair-like, sometimes barbedFlorets tubular, 5-lobedOuter florets filiform, 2- or 3-lobedPappus rose or pinkPappus white or yellow but florets sometimes purpleOuter florets filiform (sometimes few)Outer florets various but not filiformLeaves toothed or lobed, rarely entire; filiform florets numerousLeaves entire; filiform florets fewAchenes beakedAchenes not beaked, abruptly constricted towards apexAll florets tubularOuter florets filiform or with raysAchenes 5–10 ribbedAchenes lacking ribsLeaves entire or almost so; perennial herbs or scrambling shrubsLeaves coarsely biserrate; stiffly erect shrubsPerennial herbs; achenes inconspicuously 4-5-ribbedScrambling shrubs; achenes 10-ribbedAnnual or perennial taprooted herbs or short-lived shrubsRhizomatous shrubby climbers[link through]Outer achenes flat, inner ones tereteAll achenes similar or abortedFruits flatFruits terete, rarely slightly compressedInvolucral bracts linear; herbsInvolucral bracts ovate with dry margins; shrubs or subshrubsAchenes with two thick spines apically; pappus absentAchenes lacking spines, or spines slender; pappus usually presentPappus absent, cup-shaped or much reducedPappus of hairs, bristles or scalesCorolla and whole plant glandularCorolla glabrous or rarely leaves glandularLeaves deeply dividedLeaves entire or toothedAchenes beakedAchenes more or less abruptly constricted apically[link through]Involucral bracts broadly ovate, apices not spreading; paleae equalling or exceeding floretsInvolucral bracts usually lanceolate to elliptic, apices spreading or not; paleae absent or usually shorter than floretsReceptacle paleateReceptacle epaleateAll florets alikeOuter florets filiformFiliform florets few; leaves entireFiliform florets numerous; at least some leaves toothed or lobedAchenes abruptly constricted into neck or beak below pappusAchenes lacking neck or beak below pappusInvolucral bracts with petaloid spreading tipsInvolucral bracts appressed and membranousPlants with glandular hairs, aromatic; capitula sessilePlants lacking glandular hairs; capitula pedunculateMiddle involucral bracts pouchedNo bracts pouchedPlants with 2 types of capitula (tubular florets, tubular and/or filiform)Plants with all capitula similarMat- or hummock-forming plants, capitula cup-shapedShrubs or subshrubs; capitula cylindricalOuter florets with short rays; achene shed in complex structure including paleae and bractsOuter florets lacking rays; achenes shed independently of paleae and bracts[link through]All florets in capitulum filiformAll florets in capitulum either tubular or filiform Outer slender or filiform florets rare or absentOuter filiform florets in several rowsPappus hair-like, simple, barbed or plumosePappus scaly at least at base, if hair-like and plumose, then inner involucral bracts linear-lanceolate, pointedFlorets all similar and bisexualOuter florets filiform, female[link through]Leaves obovate spathulate, 4 mm longLeaves linear-lanceolate, oblanceolate, usually more than 8 mm longPerennials, usually shrubs or subshrubsAnnual herbs, rarely with slightly woody basePappus of narrow scalesPappus of hairs[link through]Mat-forming alpine plantsErect plants of tropics Pappus absent on filiform outer floretsPappus present on all floretsPappus of narrow scalesPappus of simple or plumose hairs[link through]Pappus hairs simplePappus hairs barbed or plumose on fertile floretsFlorets few (c. 6), disc florets sterileFlorets numerous (15–190; disc florets fertile[link through]Mat-forming alpine plants, leaves not noticeably aromaticErect plants of tropics & subtropics; leaves often aromaticLeaves opposite, at least towards base of plantLeaves alternate (spirally arranged) and/or in a basal rosetteBracts and whole plant covered with glandular hairsBracts and whole plant without glandular hairsLeaves linear, sessile, opposite below, alternate aboveLeaves lanceolate, elliptic, petiolate, opposite[link through]Corolla of outer florets longer than (7–) 8 mmCorolla of outer florets up to 5 mm long (4–7 mm in Centromadia {Centromadia pungens})Leaves entire, toothed or shallowly lobedLeaves (at least lower ones) deeply lobedLeaves sessile and clasping stemLeaves petiolate or constricted towards base, not claspingLeaves usually entire; involucral bracts in at least 2 whorlsLeaves usually toothed; involucral bracts in 2 whorls[link through]Pappus of many hairsPappus of few hairs, absent, or a cupPlants prostrate or procumbent perennial herbPlants erect shrubs or subshrubs[link through]Achenes wingedAchenes angled or compressed but without wings[link through]Pericarp thickened and extended above pappus, forming a cupPericarp if thickened, sometimes forming wings, but not a cup, or not thickened[link through]Paleae blunt, just exceeding achenes and ±hoodedPaleae acute, shorter than or exceeding achenes, never hoodedPaleae soft, membranousPaleae stiff, cartilaginousReceptacle conicalReceptacle flat to convex[link through]Outer involucral bracts longer than inner onesOuter involucral bracts shorter than or equalling inner onesLobes of leaves up to 2 mm wideLobes of leaves 4–50 mm widePlants subshrubs up to 80 cm tall; ray corollas yellowPlants up to 4 m tall; floret corollas white, yellow, red or purplishPaleae accrescent; corollas whitePaleae not accrescent; corollas various colours incl. whiteReceptacle epaleateReceptacle paleateInvolucral bracts in 1 whorl and fused; plant with pungent smellInvolucral bracts in several whorls; free; not pungently aromatic[link through]Pappus of awns, bristles or scalesPappus absent, rarely a cup, or very short hairs or scalesLeaves pinnately divided (at least basally)Leaves entire or toothedAchenes of 2 types: ray achenes flattened with short marginal deeply lacerate wing; disc achenes biconvex with 2 apical awnsAchenes all similar, obconic; pappus of numerous fimbriate scales[link through][link through]Involucral bracts covered with stalked glandsInvolucral bracts without glandsTubular florets sterile;All florets fertile; involucral bracts numerous in 2 or more whorlsInvolucral bracts many; achene with offset apical hornInvolucral bracts 4 to 6; achenes lacking apical horn[link through]Capitula sessile in leaf axils; ray florets in several whorlsCapitula stalked (sometimes shortly); ray florets (always 5) in 1 whorlReceptacle conicalReceptacle flat or slightly convexPaleae blunt or truncatePaleae acutePaleae truncate, erose, membranousPaleae blunt, not erose, cartilaginousOuter achenes 3-angled in section, inner ones 2-angled, often wingedAll achenes similar, sometimes angled, rarely wingedOuter involucral bracts longer that inner onesOuter involucral bracts shorter than or equalling inner onesPappus present and usually prominentPappus absent, reduced to less than 1 mm, or a cupLeaves linear in clusters along stemLeaves alternate, cauline, if clustered then not linearPappus of 2 awnsPappus of 5 translucent, usually awned, scales[link through][link through]Involucral bracts in 1 whorl, usually fused, rarely with a few much shorter ones basallyInvolucral bracts in 2 to several whorls, freePappus scale-likePappus of hairs or bristlesCapitula borne singly on long peduncles in lateral positionsCapitula usually in terminal clusters, rarely solitary and terminalShrubs to 3.5 m; leaves viscid, adaxial (upper) surface gland-dottedHerbs or shrubs; leaves not viscid or gland-dottedLeaves with distinct lamina & petiole; petiole 5 cm or more longLeaves sessile, rarely petiolate, and then petiole much less than 5 cm longHermaphrodite shrubs to 3 m high; ligules yellowRosetted, dioecious herbs to 0.4 m high (plants male in Australia); ligules white[link through][link through]Achenes compressedAchenes not compressed[link through]Receptacle paleateReceptacle rough or pitted but lacking paleaeInvolucral bracts leaf-like and much longer than floretsInvolucral bracts shorter than or equalling florets[link through]Plants usually exceeding 1 m tall, and with 1–several erect branchesPlants with basal rootstock, somewhat branched; branches up to 50 cmLeaves deeply dividedLeaves entire or toothedPappus of short bristles; rays lobed or distinctly toothedPappus of deciduous scales; rays scarcely toothed[link through]Pappus of 2 deciduous scalesPappus of 2 persistent awns, or of 6–10 persistent scalesRays large and spectacularRays scarcely longer than involucreAchenes flattened and wingedAchenes cylindrical[link through]Involucral bracts fused into a tube basallyInvolucral bracts in several whorls, freeAt least some leaves divided or lobedLeaves entire and linear, or toothedRay florets sterileRay florets femaleOuter pappus obovate scale, inner pappus bristlesAll pappus small scalesAchenes with 3 wing-like ridges on 1 side; pappus of scalesAchenes ribbed but not winged; pappus of bristles[link through]Inner involucral bracts dry and membranousAll involucral bracts herbaceous, or sometimes with membranous marginsAchenes with a short neck below pappusAchenes cylindrical, without a neckStyle branches slender and pointedStyle branches short and blunt[link through]Fruits beakedFruits not beakedRay florets in 2 or more whorlsRay florets in 1 whorlInvolucral bracts and receptacle glandular; ligules 2-4-lobedInvolucral bracts and receptacle not glandular; ligules entirePappus a double row of brick red bristles, outer short, inner longPappus 1-seriate or if a double row of bristles, not brick red and of 2 lengthsAll florets fertile (inner disc florets sterile in Grindelia)Either disc or ray florets sterilePappus of 2-10 simple caducous awnsPappus usually of barbellate or plumose bristles or awns or absentRay florets with staminodesRay florets without staminodesRay florets female; disc florets usually staminate; pappus of scales, or rarely plumose bristles or absent (pseudo-pappus of barbellate awns derived from pericarp)Ray florets neuter; disc florets bisexual; pappus and pseudo-pappus not as abovePlants tufted, with linear leaves, old leaves clothing basePlants erect, or if with a basal rosette, then leaves not linearAchenes with a beakAchenes abruptly constricted at apex, not beaked or rostrateAchenes polymorphic, some rostrate; rays yellowAchenes monomorphic, all shortly beaked; rays white to purple[link through]Involucral bracts with a terminal spineInvolucral bracts without terminal spinePerennials; leaves with spinesAnnuals; leaves without spines[link through][link through]Receptacle paleateReceptacle epaleateCapitula small and in terminal clustersCapitula larger and individually pedunculate or solitaryLeaves lobed to almost entireLeaves deeply dividedPaleae longer than outer floretsPaleae shorter than floretsAchenes woollyAchenes glabrous[link through]Rhizomatous perennials; achenes 3-ribbedAnnuals or perennials, not rhizomatous; achenes c. 8–10-ribbed[link through]Ligules yellow; pappus a small coronaLigules white; pappus absent[link through]All florets producing achenes, or only disc florets producing achenesOnly outer florets producing achenesOnly disc florets producing achenesAll florets producing achenes[link through]Achenes heteromorphic, inner and outer achenes differentAchenes homomorphicAt least inner achenes curved to C-shapeAll achenes straight or almost soAnnual herbsPerennial herbs, without glandsPlants glandular-puberulousPlants not glandular-puberulous (achenes dimorphic)Achenes dimorphic, 2- and 3-angledAchenes polymorphic, curved or straight, winged or wingless, sometimes rostrate[link through]Achenes entirely lacking pappusAchenes with a very short scarious pappus, a solitary scale on ray achenes, a short ring on disc achenesRay achenes shortly wingedRay achenes ±terete[link through]Receptacle convex to conicalReceptacle flatRay ligules short, <10 mm longRay ligules 10–18 mm longLeaves 3-pinnatisect, at least at base; rays whiteLeaves 1-pinnatisect; rays yellow[link through]Achenes oblong to obovoidAchenes prominently winged[link through]Achenes with fleshy outer tissueAchenes all dry[link through]Achenes with prominent wingsAchenes without wingsOuter involucral bracts much longer than inner onesInvolucral bracts c. equisizedInner disc florets fertileInner disc florets functionally staminate