1 | Pappus absent |
1' | Pappus present |
2 | Erect, with erecto-patent, dichotomous branches |
2' | Dwarf, acaulescent or mat forming without erect branches |
3 | Rosette-leaves shorter than inflorescence; plant with very numerous spreading branches, forming mats of contiguous rosettes |
3' | Rosette-leaves distinctly longer than inflorescence; plants often unbranched |
4 | Rosette-leaves 7-20 x 2.5-4 mm, not much longer than inflorescence, apex blunt or subacute, not mucronate, base scarcely tapering |
4' | Rosette-leaves 10-40 x 3-7 mm, much exceeding inflorescence, apex obtuse or subacute, generally mucronate, base tapering, quasi-petiolate |
5 | Leaves linear-subulate, tapering to an acute apex; capitula forming small, irregular clusters, usually overtopped by the floral leaves |
5' | Leaves oblong or lanceolate-spathulate, apex obtuse, rounded, subacute or abruptly acute |
6 | Heads terminal or lateral, sessile or subsessile, forming narrow spiciform inflorescences or partial inflorescences; receptacular scales strongly reflexed after anthesis |
6' | Heads terminal, solitary or terminating dichotomous lateral branches; receptacular scales not reflexing after anthesis |
7 | Receptacular scales superposed in fives in a regular peripheral series of five, forming a sub-pentagonal capitulum; tips of scales conspicuous, shining yellow |
7' | Receptacular scales not in a regular or peripheral series; tips of scales not conspicuously shining |
8 | Leaves narrowly oblong, acute |
8' | Leaves lanceolate-spathulate, obtuse or rounded at apex |