1	"Leaves linear, entire, grass-like"	"Scabiosa graminifolia"
1	"Leaves not as above, at least some dissected or lobed"	2
2	"Plant an annual"	"Scabiosa atropurpurea"
2	"Plant perennial"	3
3	"Secondary involucre (involucel) cylindrical, with 5 deep pits below the flower"	4
3	"Involucels with 8 furrows and no pits"	5
4	"Leaves shiny above"	"Scabiosa farinosa"
4	"Leaves dull above"	"Scabiosa caucasica"
5	"Flowers creamy yellow"	"Scabiosa S.columbaria var. ochroleuca"
5	"Flowers blue or lilac"	6
6	"Basal leaves cut more or less to the midrib (corolla 4-lobed)"	"Scabiosa japonica"
6	"Basal leaves toothed or shallowly cut"	7
7	"Plants hairless; calyx bristles ridged"	"Scabiosa lucida"
7	"Plants hairy; calyx bristles not ridged"	"Scabiosa columbaria"