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).
Spikelet has 2 or more flowers
Spikelets without own pedicel (supporting stalk)
Spikelets in groups of 2 or more Single spikelet at each node
Inflorescence spikelike Inflorescence not spikelike
Elymus arenarius Spikelet has many small, narrow projections
Spikelet lacking projections
Spikelets each with own pedicel
Spikelet has one flower only
Lemmas surrounded by tufts of hair at base
Standing dead present
Agropyron boreale
Inflorescence wider Inflorescence narrow
Lemmas not surrounded by tufts
of hair at base
Elymus arenarius
Alopecurus alpinus
Phippsia algida
Arctogrostis latifolia
Calamagrostis purpurascens
Standing dead present
Hairs on upper part of stem
Hairs on upper part of stem
*Grows in tufts
Inflorescence cylindrical, wooly, light grey
Leaves have hairs on upper surface of veins
*Grows in tufts
Stem rough
Leaves very rough, especially margins
Inflorescence purple to bronze
Leaves rough, flat, wide
Stem smooth
Inflorescence narrow
Stem barely longer than leaves
Grows in tufts
GRASSES
Leaves pale grey or bluish green
Leaves pale grey or bluish green
Glumes hairy, lemma awnless
Glumes hairy, lemma awnless
Nodes with short hairs
Leaves rough
Spike dense
Leaf blade short and flat
Calamagrostiscanadensis
Calamagrostisholmii
Calamagrostisinexpansa
Inflorescence open, usually purple tinged
Inflorescence closed, pale
Inflorescence closed, feather‐like
Leaves curled inward
Leaves flat
Leaves rough on both sides
Awn longer than glumes Awn shorter than glumes
Leaves generally blue‐ish
Inflorescence closed
Leaves yellowish‐green
Leaves boat shaped at tip
Leaves flimsy, not firm
Leaves much shorter than stem
Inflorescence dense
Stem slender
Leaves almost trianglular, greyish green
*TALL, very robust
Leaves rough on both sides
Pg. 1
*Looks similar to Hierochloe pauciflora
Spikelet has 2 or more flowers
Spikelet 3 flowered, all at the same level
Spikelet 2 flowered or with 3 flowers on different levels
Lemmas awned from above middle
Lemmas awned from below middle
Hierochloe alpina
Glumes shorter than spikeletGlumes longer than spikelet
Lemmas awnless or with apical awn, glumes shorter than first floret
Lemmas with awn arising from back, glumes as long as spikelet
Lemmas not bifid at tipLemmas have bifid tip
Nerves of lemma parallel
Hierochloe pauciflora
Koeleria asiatica
Trisetum spicatum
Deschampsia brevifolia
Deschampsiacaespitosa
Dupontia fisheri
Bromuspumpellianus
Glumes shorter than lowermost floret
Glumes as long as lowermost floret
Arctophila fulva
Puccinellia borealis
Puccinellia langeana
Puccinellia phryganodes
Nerves of lemma converging
Festuca rubra Festuca altaica
Festucabrachyphylla
Poa arctica Poa alpigena
Poa glauca
Poa alpina
Long, twisted awn
Awnless
Leaves narrow, curled inward, almost round
Leaves narrow, curled inward, bluish‐green
Awn straight
Awn bent
Fine hairs on stem
Many basal leaves
Stem hairless or with fine hairs
Fine hairs on leaves, few basal leaves
Glumes and lemmas dark purple
Glumes and lemmas translucent
Inflorescence closed
Inflorescence open
Glumes purple at base, bronze tips
Stem smooth
Glumes unequal
Leaves and stem with or without hairs
Stem smooth, leafy
Leaves broad, smooth, reddish
Inflorescence has long, drooping branches
Stem smooth, wiryStem
slightly rough
Inflorescence more narrow
Leaves curled inward
Palea hairy Palea hairless
Spikeletspale
Spikelets green or purple
Spikeletsgreen or purple
Plant reddish
Leaves bright green
Basal sheaths reddish
*Loosely tufted
*Densely Tufted
Inflorescence open
Inflorescence closed
Leaves smooth, stiff
Leaves rough, curled
Stem smooth
Basal leaves hairy
*Grows in tufts, DRY tundra
Leaves yellow‐green
*NOT tufted, WET tundra
Plant thin, delicate
*Loose tufts
*NOT tufted
*Grows in dense tuftsLeaves narrow and short
Leaves rough on upper surface
*Tufted
Lemmas awned Lemmas awnless
*Densely Tufted
Inflorescence open
Inflorescence closed
Inflorescence closed
*Not tufted *Not tufted
Firm tussocks
Stem smooth, wiry
Inflorescence open
*Densely Tufted
*Tufted
Persistent white sheaths
Leaves abruptly pointed
Leaves purplish
Ligules short, terminates abruptly
Stem smooth
Leaves soft
*Tufted
Leaves flat
*Tufted
Stem bent at base
*Tufted
Leaves large, curled, purplish
Inflorescence closed
TALL (50‐100cm)
Ligulemembranous
WET TUNDRA
Pg. 2
Red base typical
SEDGE‐Sheath closed, 1 scale per pistil
RUSH‐Sheath open, flowers lily‐like with 6 tepals
Large bristles‐ cottongrass Flowers otherwise
Eriophorumangustifolium
Spikes several, with bracts Spikes solitary, no bractsEriophorum russeolum
Eriophorum vaginatum
*Not tufted
Grows in dense tufts
Perigynium presentPerigynium lacking
Eriophorum triste
Kobresiamyosuroides
Kobresia sibirica
Spike linear
Spike oval‐oblong
Leaves and sheaths with few white hairs No hairs present
Inflorescence terminalInflorescence lateral
Juncus biglumisJuncus arcticus
Stems channeled on one side
Juncus triglumis
Flowers solitary end of branches
Flowers crowded in spikesLuzula confusa
Luzula arctica
Bract leaflike
Leaves curved, narrow
Leaves flat, wide, short
Luzula wahlenbergii
Branches drooping
Stem smooth,hairless
Leaves shiny, thin
Reddish brown wiry sheaths
Bract leaflike
Bract scalelike
CAREX(See Carex key)
Stem rough
Leaves more narrow, flat but folding at tip
Leaves channeled, very thin, round
Leaves trigonous, thin, lighter green
Leaves coiled, numerous
Stems stiff
Inflorescence dense, light brown
Bract scalelike
SEDGES AND RUSHES
Sheaths persistent, brown
Leaves flat, then folding at tip
Sheaths persistent, brown
White to pale rusty
*Tufted, dense tussocks
*Tufted
Old sheaths dense, brown
*Tufted
Leaves linear, narrow
Sheaths brownish
Pg. 3
*Tufted
Usually 2 cauline leaves
Branches brown with curly hairs
*Densely tufted
Stem leafy
Leaves hairy
Stem leafy
Leaves channeled Stem thin, wiry
Rhizome scaly
Stem with one leaf, and several bladeless sheaths
Leaves with reddish brown sheaths
3‐5 flowered head
(Sedges)
(Rushes)
Group 3 on next page
Group 1: Spike single, terminal
Staminate and pistillate flowers on different plants
Staminate and pistillate flowers on the same spike
Staminate flowers at base Staminate flowers at apex
C. scirpoideaC. ursina Spike round with
pointed tipSpike oblong or
linear
C. capitata
C. nardina
C. obtusata
C. rupestris
Group 2: Spike compound, attached directly, bisexual
Stem branchingStem simple
C. chordorrhiza
Staminate flowers at base of spike
Staminate flowers at apex of spike
C. maritima
C. lachenalii
C. glareosa
*3 stigmas*Perigynia with small hairs
Stem sharply trigonous
Leaves flatForms dense tufts
Leaf margins curled
Leaf margins curled
Leaves flat
Leaves trigonous,curvedBrown
sheathsCylindrical
Leaves greyishgreen, curly
Stem smooth, flattened, triangular
3‐8 spikes in ovoid head
Leaves channeled
Stems rough
Leaves grayish, channeled
Leaves flat, yellow‐green, short
Stems stiffStems curved
Leaves gray‐green, curved, narrow
CAREXPg. 4
Spikes single
Rhizome black, scaly
Stems barely longer than leaves, trigonous
Leaves rough along edges
Stems slender, wiry
Leaves pale green
Sheaths purplish
Rhizome purplish black
Leaves very thin (1mm)
*Densely tufted
Leaves as long as stems
Spike single
Stems rough
Terminal spike tapers at base
Sheaths straw colored
Leaves narrow (<2mm)
Terminal spike club‐like
3 spikes
Blades of lower sheaths short or absent
Spike round or oval Fertile stems from nodes of old stems
Leaves rough at tips
Group 3: Spikes compound, mostly unisexual, each with solitary stalk
Perigynia long‐beaked Perigynia beakless or short‐beaked
C. saxatilis
C. bigelowii Stem sheath has leaf Stem sheath lacks leaf
C. stans
C. aquatilis
C. subspathacea
C. ramenskii
3 Stigma
Beak of perigynia has mouth with two teeth
Break of perigynia has mouth with square or even end
C. misandra
Bracts without sheaths Bracts with sheaths
C. rarifloraC. holostoma
C. podocarpa
2 Stigma
Lowest bract shorter than inflorescence
Lowest bract as long as inflorescence or longer
Leaves not divided into segments
Leaves divided into segments by small knobs
C. rotundata
Perigynia flat Perigynia trigonous
Terminal spike pistillate on topC. krausei
C. capillaris
C. williamsii
Stems purplish at base
Leaves pale, margins curled
Upper spikes staminate, linear
Lower spikes pistillate, cylindrical
Stem stiff, sharply triangular
Stem curved
One staminate spike at tip
More than 1 staminate spike at tip
Stem shorter, angles obtuse
Stem taller, angles obtuse
Leaves and stem straight
Leaves narrow, light green
Leaves broad
Leaf margins rough
Tips rough
Stem triangular, edges rounded
Leaves waxy, greyish green
Leaves dark green, wide, flat
Stem slender, smooth
Curled at tip
Leaf margins curved
Leaves short, flat, curly
Stem slender, smooth
Terminal spike staminate at base
Lower spikes pistillate
Leaves flat, yellowish green
Leaves bristlelike, margins curved
Leaves flat, bright green, mostly basal
Terminal spike staminate
Pg. 5
Stem slightly rough in upper part
Sheaths purplish brown, shiny
Lateral spikes short, cylindrical
Leaves greyish green
Leaves greyishgreen
*Dwarf species
Leaves curved, channeled
Leaves yellowish green
Stem triangular
Sheaths reddish brown
Lowest bract taller than inflorescence
Stem smooth
Basal sheaths purple
Stem slender, 3‐4 leaves
Lateral spikes drooping
Lower leaves shorter than upper leaves
Sheaths pale greyish green
Leaves yellowish green
Stem thin , smooth
Sheaths purplish
Stem thin, smooth
Lowermost spikes solitary
Petals lacking or not visible
Petals present
Small, very dense cushions Not forming these cushions
Leaves without hairs
Vaccinium vitis‐idaea
Fruit is a drupe (fleshy outer part surrounding pit)
Arctostaphylos alpina
Leaves with dense, matted hairs below
Ledum palustre
White flowers
Lacking catkins
Empetrum nigrum
Berries purplish black
Catkins
Leaves mostly entire;Many seeded capsule
Leaves serrated;1 seeded winged nutlet
Leaves round, dark green above, light below
SALIX(see Salix key)
Betula nana
Fruit fleshy or dry Fruit is a berry
Evergreen
Deciduous
Vaccinium uliginosum
Fruit is a dry capsuleLeaves opposite
Cassiope tetragona
Andromeda polifolia
Rhododendron lapponicum
Leaves alternate
Leaves with 3 pairs of veins
Evergreen
Leaves alternate or whorled
Evergreen, small dense rosettes
Diapensia lapponica
White to creamLeaves densely overlapping
Leaves leathery, linear, dark green above
Evergreen
Bark shreddy
Rounded at apex
*Flowers white, drooping
Drupe black
Leaves opposite
Flowers white, drooping
Branches stiff
Leaves round, rough
Twigs scaly
Leaves oblong,evergreen,
deeply grooved
Flowers pink
Flowers purple
*Berries red
Berries blue
Flowers light pink
Stems trailing
Few branches
Many branches
*Flowers pink
Dryasintegrifolia
Leaves oblong
White
Leaves whiteish on underside, dark green
and shiny above
SHRUBS Pg. 6
Leaves linear to narrow elliptical
Young branches with resin glands
Leaf edges crenate
Leaves dark green
Leaves broadest below middle
Pedicels with white or rusty hairs
Leaves leathery, elliptical
Leaves dull green above
Stems with dense hairs
Low prostrate shrubs <1ft tall
Erect shrubs >1ft tall
Long creeping branches Without creeping branches
Salix reticulata
Leaves net‐veined Not net‐veinedSalix fuscescens
Salix arctica
Leaves entire or toothed on
basal half
Leaves entire
Leaves whitish beneath Not whitish beneath
Salix ovalifolia
Forms dense mats
Forms loose mats
Salix pseudopolaris
Salix phlebophylla
Salix rotundifolia
Abundant dead leaves
Few or no dead leaves
More than 3ft tall Less than 3ft tall
Leaves with hairs on lower surface
Leaves without hairs
Stipules persisting several years
Stipules persisting less than one year
Salix fuscescens
Salix lanata
Stipules large, toothed
Branches reddish brown, densely hairy
Stipules not toothed
No dense hairsSalix pulchra
Leaves without hairs Leaves with hairs on lower surface
Salix glauca
Salix brachycarpa
Petioles yellow
Petioles reddish
Leaves dull green, densely
hairy below
Leaves rounded or blunt
Stipules persisting several years
Stipules persisting less than one year
Salix hastata
Salix lanataStipules toothed
Stipules not toothed
No dense hairs
Salix pulchra
Leaves nearly round
Stems pale yellow
Leaves light green
SALIX
Branches yellow or greenish‐brown
Pg. 7
Branches light brown, branchletsgreen
Leaves dark green and hairless above
Underside of leaves with silky hairs
Margins of leaves subentireto crenate
Branches reddish brown, shiny
Leaves dark green above, pale below
Veins prominent
Leaves variously shaped
Leaves dull green, underside hairy
Peduncles hairy
Branches hairless or with few hairs
Upper surface of leaves glossy, lower surface pale purplish
Petioles reddish or yellow
Branches reddish, glossy
Leaves leathery, glossy
Branches mostly below ground
Leaves very small, 5‐14mm
*Usually buried in moss
Leaves bright green
Leaf margins entire, reddish
Branches reddish brown to grey
Leaves tear‐drop shaped
Branches reddish brown, hairy
Leaves densely hairy below
Branches reddish brown, smooth, shiny
Leaves dark green above, pale below
Leaves rounded at tip
Leaves frequently withering
Petioles reddish
Leaves rounded or blunt
Branches reddish brown, hairy
Leaves densely hairy below
Salix brachycarpa
Florets all ray florets
Taraxacumceratophorum
Taraxacumalaskanum
Disc and ray florets
Disc florets only
Inflorescence otherwiseInflorescence in terminal cluster
All leaves on flowering stem Leaves mostly basal
Winged petiole
Herbaceous Subwoody
Florets not all ray florets
Saussurea angustifolia
Antennariafriesiana
Antennariamonocephala
Artemisia glomerata
Leaves mostly basal
Leaves mainly on stem
Artemisia arctica
Artemisia borealis
Artemisia tilesii
Stem hairy
Stem hairless
Florets yellow, pappus white
Stem dark purple
Narrow petiole
Flower head solitary
More than one flower
Flower yellow
Stem hairy
Leaves on stem different than basal leaves
Inflorescence more open, branching
Inflorescence spikelike
Leaves densely covered in grey hairs below
Petals yellow or tinted red
ASTERACEAEPg. 8
Leaves narrow
Upper leaves very reduced
Stem and leaves pale green, hairy
Basal rosette
Stem and leaves pale green, hairy
Basal rosette
Leaf bases persistent
Basal leaves divided, whitish
Few to many heads
Stem green or purple
Leaves pinnatelydivided, slender petiole
Basal leaves pinnately divided
Upper surface of leaves green and mostly hairless
Disc and ray florets
Ray florets yellow or orange Ray florets white, pink, or purple
Pappus bristly Pappus otherwise
Leaves opposite Leaves alternate or all basal
Basal leaves otherwise, or lacking
Basal leaves not heart or arrow shaped
Basal leaves heart or arrow shaped
Basal leaves have winged petiole
Petasites frigidus
Petasiteshyperboreus
Aster sibiricus
Bracts with papery or green tips
Bracts otherwise
Erigeron hyperboreus
Erigeron humilis
Erigeron eriocephalus
Chrysanthemum integrifolium
Tripleurospermumphaeocephalum
Arnica lessingii
Arnica alpina
Solidagomultiradiata
Senecio congestus
Senecio atropurpureus
Senecio lugens
Seneciohyperborealis
Leaves toothed or shallowly lobed
Leaves deeply lobed
Leaves hairy below, smooth or hairy above
Ray florets white, sometimes purple
Ray florets large, very visible
Ray florets smaller
Bracts bluish‐black
Bracts purplish
Leaves entire, linear
Leaves pinnate
Stem wooly
Pappus white
Pappus brownish‐yellow
Winged petiole
Short petiole
Basal leaves hairless, serrated at apex
Leaves on stem lack petiole, reduced
All leaves on flowering stem, none basal
Flowers solitary
Flowers solitary, or all the same size
Flowers solitary, or lateral ones smaller
Bracts green
Bracts purplish black
Long petioles
Leaves on stem lack petiole
Pg. 9
Stem with white hairs
Stem with white hairs
Leaves thick, leathery
Leaves thick, leathery
Pappus reddish brown
Few leaves on stem
Basal leaves narrow, oblong
Stem hairy
Basal leaves blunt, narrow petiole
Leaves narrowly oblong
*Tufted, dwarf Bracts green in middle, brown margins
Heads large, 3‐5cm
Petals pure white
Stem hairy
Leaf veins prominent
Stem hairy
Bracts covered in white hairs
Stem with short hairs
Stem thick, hollow
Stem with purplish hairs
Basal leaves oblong, petiole narrow or winged
Pod short, not more than 3 times as long as broad
Cochlearia officinalis
Flowers small, white
BRASSICACEAE
Plant completely hairless Plant has small hairs
Basal leaves round Basal leaves oblong Petals purple Petals white or yellow
Petals white Petals yellow
Pod swollen and constricted at intervals
Pod otherwise
Draba lactea
Draba longpipes
Parrya nudicaulis
Drabamicropetala
Braya humilis
Braya purpurascens
Braya pilosa
Stem has more than one leaf
Stem has one or no leaves
Stems with 3 or more laves above basal rosette
Stems leafless, or with 1‐2 leaves
Leaves with grey‐blue hairs
Leaves otherwise
Draba cinerea
Draba hirta
Draba nivalis
Drabafladnizensis
Draba longpipes
Pod longer, more than 3 times as long as broad (Pg. 2)
Leaves entire or shallowly dentate
Leaves small, all basal
Leaves larger, may appear on stem
*Plant short, <10cm tall
*Plant taller, >10cm tall
Flowers white
Flowers white
Leaves long petioled
Raceme inflorescence
Densely tufted
Leaves all basal
Leaves lack strong midvein
Pods round or oval
Pods pointed at tip
Stem hairy
Leaves narrow
Pods hairy
Pods hairless
Leaves appear ash grey due to dense hairs
Leaves green
Pods linear
Inflorescence densely compact
Inflorescence more elongated
Pg. 10
Few stem leaves
Siliques hairless
Stem leafless Stem leafless
Leaf with prominent midrib
Basal leaves spatulate
Stem leaves alternate
Leaves densely hairy
Leaves densely hairy, linear
Leaves entire
Basal leaves may have few teeth
Petals white
Leaves pointed
Flowers pure white
*If plant has hairs, only on pods
Basal leaves lack petiole
Leaves not pinnate Leaves pinnate
Pod longer, more than 3 times as long as broad
Plant completely hairless
Plant has small hairs
Petals purple Petals white, pale lavender, or yellow
Leaves compound Leaves simple
Basal leaves long petioled
Petals white or purplish Petals yellow
Pod 4‐5mm broad Pod narrower
Cardaminepratensis
Parryanudicaulis
Arabis arenicola
Cardaminehyperborea
Cardaminebellidifolia
Eutrema edwardsii
DescurainiasophioidesPod swollen and
constricted at intervals
Pod otherwise
Arabis sp.(see above, teal)
Braya sp.(see pg. 10, bright blue)
Leaves long petioled
Pods cylindrical
Sepals hairy, green to purple
Pods linearArabis lyrata
Pod slightly flattened
More than 7 leaflets per leaf
Sepals pink or green
5‐7 leaflets per leaf
*Tufted, dwarf
Pods dark purple
Leaves pinnate
Pods curved
Pg. 11
Petals rose purple
Leaves hairy
Flowers white to purple
Stem hairless
Petals purple or white
Cardaminepratensis
More than 7 leaflets per leaf
Sepals pink or green
Stem hairless
Petals purple or white
Arabis arenicola
Sepals hairy, green to purple
Pods linear
Leaves hairy
Flowers white to purple
10‐20 milky white flowers
Sepals pink or green, half size of petals
Leaves mostly basal
Petals white, sepals hairless
Leaves hairless or with few hairs
Stem with few leaves
Basal leaves slender, long petioled
Parryanudicaulis
Leaves long petioled
Pods cylindrical
Petals rose purple Stem with few leaves
*Gravelly and disturbed areas
Sepals and petals free, not united below
Cerastiumbeeringianum
Leaves hairy on both sides
CAROPHYLLACEAE
Petals deeply notched, or none Petals entire or shallowly notched
5 Styles, capsule cylindrical
3 Styles, capsule egg‐shaped
Leaves more broad Leaves linear
Flower buds spherical,4‐5 styles
Leaves firm
Leaves soft
Flower buds oblong,3 Styles
Leaves 3‐nerved
Leaves 1‐nerved, or appearing nerveless
Stellaria laeta
Stellaria humifusa
Stellaria crassifolia
Wilhelmsia physodes
Honckenya peploides
Sagina intermedia
Minuartia rubella
Minuartia rossii
Minuartiaobtusiloba
Minuartia arctica
Sepals united into a tube, flowers bell shaped
Plant forming dense cushionPlant not forming cushion
Flowers nodding,petals purple
Flowers upright’petals white to pink
Silene acaulis
Melandriumapetalum
Melandriumaffine
Melandriumtaylorae
Melandriumtriflorum
Petals white
Leaves shiny
Petals white, flowers small
Leaves crowded, oval
Leaves linear, oblong
Leaves limp, drooping
Capsule inflated
Capsule not inflated
Stems hairy
Stems hairless
Stems hairless
Tufted, reddish green
4 Petals, white
Sepals longer than petals
Stems and leaves hairless
Leaves stiff
Leaves soft
Stems and leaves hairy
Leaves linear, flat
Petals pink or pale purple
Sepals purple veined
Sepals green veined
Shorter than 30cm
Taller than 30cm
Basal leaves linear
Leaves narrow
Stem purplish
Basal leaves many, larger than stem leaves
Pg. 12
Inflorescence small cyme, 3‐6 flowers Leaves lack petiole
*Matted
Stem hairless
Petals white, bilobed
Stem hairless
Petals white, deep cleft
Leaves opposite
Sepals purple, petals white
Leaves yellow‐green
Petals white
Leaves trigonous
Flowers dark purple
Stem with white hairs
*Tufted
Stem hairy
*Forms flat cushions
Leaves palmate
Lupinus arcticus
Basal leaves have long petiole
FABACEAE
Leaves pinnate
Legumes not dividedLegumes divided into sections
Leaflets thin Leaflets thick Keel blunt Keel with pointed tip
Hedysarum alpinum
Hedysarummackenzii
Astragalus alpinus
Astragalusumbellatus
Oxytropis nigrescens
Flowers bluish‐ purple
Leaves bright green, hairless on both sides
Leaves with gray hairs on underside
Flowers pink or pale purple
Flowers deep purple
Densely tufted
Flowers purple
Leaves purplish, boat shaped
Stems grow flat along ground
Stems upright
Flowers pale bluish‐violet
Flowers yellow
Pg. 13
Leaves with hairs only on lower surface
Lateral veins prominent
Stipules gray
Underside of leaves hairy
Leaves dark green, hairs on underside only
3 petal‐like sepals, plant only a few centimeters tall
Koenigia islandica
Leaves few, lack petiole
POLYGONACEAE
More than 3 petal‐like sepals, larger plants
5 sepals4 or 6 sepals
Leaves kidney shaped Leaves oblong, oval
Rumex arcticusOxyria digyna
Spike narrow and longer Spike wider and shorter
Polygonum viviparum Polygonum bistorta
Flowers in umbel‐like clusters
4 sepals 6 sepals
Stem leafless or with few leaves
Leaves dark green, fleshy
Flowers white or light pink
Flowers pink
Bulbils presentBulbils lacking
Basal leaves with long petioles
Winged petioles
Pg. 14
Bracts small, leafy
Leaves heart shaped
Long petioles
Inflorescence deep red
Flowers small, reddish
Leaves mostly basal
Stem usually with 1 or 2 short petioledleaves
Leaves dark green above, greyish below
Rhizome thick, contorted
Ochrea
Petals present
Delphinium brachycentrum
Leaves with 5‐7 main lobes
RANUNCULACEAE
Flowers blue or purple, 4 petals Flowers yellow or white, 5 petals
Grows in tufts Doesn’t grow in tufts
Terrestrial Amphibious
Petals lacking, sepals resemble petals
Sepals yellowSepals white or pale blue
Grows in tufts Does not grow in tufts
Ranunculus pygmaeus
Ranunculus nivalis
Ranunculus lapponicus
Ranunculus pallasii
Ranunculus hyperboreus
Ranunculus gmelinii
Caltha palustris
Primary divisions of leaves entire
Primary divisions of leaves again divided
Anemone parvifloraAnemone drummondii
Flowers irregular
Petals shorter than sepals
Petals longer than sepals
Petals five, dark yellow
Petals pale yellow
Stem with one or no leaves
Petals pale yellow or white Flowers white
Flowers yellow
Flowers yellow
Leaves mostly on flowering stem
Leaves heart shaped
Basal leaves long petioledLeaves dark
green, shiny
Stem leaves lack petiole
Leaves and stem hairy
Stem with white hairs
Pg. 15
Stem hairy
Sepals bluish purple
Leaves deeply cleft, 3‐5 lobes
Leaves deeply lobed, 3 lobes
Long petioles
Stem hairless, fleshy
Leaves deeply cleft
*Densely matted
Leaves small, lobed
Stem hairless or slightly pubescent
Leaves alternate, 3‐parted, then divided again
Stem dark brown
Leaves divided into 3‐4 linear segments
Leaf lobes bluntly toothed
Sepals pale blue Sepals white, silky, tinged blue beneath
Leaf margins with rounded serrations
Leaves simple
Rubus chamaemorus
ROSACEAE
Leaves compound
Petals white, cream, or yellowPetals reddish purple to dark red
Leaflets with short, soft hairs on lower surface
Leaflets more densely hairy on lower surface
Leaves pinnate, 5 or more leaflets Leaves with 3 leaflets
Leaves 5‐lobed, serrated, leathery
Potentilla palustris
Potentilla pulchella Potentilla hyparctica
Potentilla uniflora
Potentilla hookeriana
Petals whiteBerries orange to red colored
Stems dark reddish
Leaves dark reddish above, pale below
Leaves serrate,5‐7 pinnate
Petals yellow
Dark red leaf bases
Leaflets toothed
Leaves green above, paler below
Petals pale yellow
Flowers in clusters, yellow
Flowers usually solitary, or 2‐3
Brown or blackened remains of leaves
Loosely tufted
Pg. 16
Leaves dark green, purple tinged
Petals shorter than sepals
Stem hairy
Stipules large, rusty brown
*Densely tufted
Leaflets ovate, deeply toothed
Sepals narrowly triangular
Petals lacking
Leaves rounded, lobed, thin
SAXIFRAGACEAE
Petals present
Plant has hairsPlant completely hairless
5 petals 3 petals
ParnassiakotzebueiParnassia palustris
5 stamen 10 stamen
Boykinia richardsonii
SAXIFRAGASee Saxifraga key
Flowers in cluster
Petals longer than sepals
Petals shorter than sepals
Petals white, long
Leaves kidney shaped
Petals white
Inflorescence spikelike
Petals purplish
Chrysopleniumtetrandum
Pg. 17
Sepals green
Leaves ovate, short petioled, nearly sessile
Stem slender, leafless
Leaves broadly ovate
Leaf margins crenate
Leaves Entire
Leaves Opposite
Lacking stolonsStolons
S. flagellaris
S. hirculus
S. bronchialis
Leaves Toothed or Lobed
S. oppositifolia
Leaves Alternate
S. punctata
S. foliolosa
S. hieracifolia
Flowering stem with few to no leaves
S. reflexa
More than one flower
Leaves Round Leaves Oblong
One terminal flower*
S. cernua
S. rivularis
S.caespitosa
Flowering stem with many leaves
0
Lacking petiole Petiole
Petals white,Sepals purple
Petals white
Petals white to pink
Red bulbets
Bulbetslacking
Basal leaves form tight cushion
All leaves basal
Numerous white flowers
No distinct petiole
All leaves basal
Petals white
*May get flowers here, but not common
Inflorescence spikelike
Petals purple at tip, green at base
Winged petiole
S. nivalis
Dense cluster of flowers at tip
Underside of leaves hairless
Petals white with pink tip
Petals white with 2 yellow spots
Leaves with hairs on both sides
Stems woody
Leaves overlapping
Flowers light pink to purple
Long, slender stolons
Leaves form basal rosette
Petals yellow
Petals white, often with purple spots
Petals yellow
Forms thick mat or cushion
Stem hairless except in inflorescence
Stem has reddish‐brown hairs
SAXIFRAGA Pg. 18
Stem hairy
Leaves 3‐5 lobed
Stem hairy
Leaves 3‐5 lobed
Stem hairy
Leaves 3‐7 lobed
Sepals green to purple
Leaves broad, margins crenate
Stem may be hairy
Leaves leathery
Broad petiole
Bracts leaf‐like
Leaves scale‐like
Stem leafy Leaves on
stem lack petiole
Leaves on stem lack petiole
2 Stamen
Lagotis glauca
Petals violet to blue
SCROPHULARIACEAE
4 Stamen
Leaves dissected or toothedLeaves entire
Pedicularis verticillata
Castilleja caudata
Petals yellow Petals pink or purple
Leaves on stem whorled Leaves on stem otherwise
Pedicularislapponica
Pedicularis capitata
Pedicularissudetica
Pediculariskanei
Pedicularislangsdorfii
Leafy bracts purple or blue
Upper leaves taper in to long tail‐like tip
Petals green or yellow
Petals purple to rose pink
Leaves deeply lobed, lobes toothed
Upper part of flower with toothed beak
Flower beakless
Upper leaves lack petiole
Leaves have petiole, mostly basal
Petals with rose or purple tint at tip
Upper part of flower dark purple
Upper part of flower pink
Upper part of flower pink
Spike wooly
Spike hairless
Stem purplish
Pg. 19
*Plant hairless
*If stem has hairs, only on upper part
Calyx with 5 triangular teeth
Head with few flowers
Long petiole
Many flowers
*Basal leaves long petioled
OTHER FORBS MONOCOTS
Flowers regularFlowers irregular
Flowers white or greenish‐yellow
Flowers purplish brown
Corallorrhiza trifidaFlowers solitary or few Flowers numerous
Lloydia serotina
Zygadenus elegans
Tofieldiapusilla
Tofieldia coccinea
DICOTS (organized by family)
APIACEAE
Basal leaves simple, entire Basal leaves compound
Bupleurumamericanum Cnidium cnidiifolium
Stems leafless, but sheaths present
Lateral petals yellow‐green, lip white, sometimes with purple spots
Flower cream with purplish veins, solitary
Leaves narrow, grasslike
Plant somewhat dull grayish‐blue
Stem leafless
Leafy bracts present
Stem purplish
Stem green
Bracts present
**Poisonous**
Compound umbel
Compound umbel
Flowers yellow, sometimes blotched with purple
Flowers yellow
Leaves oblong
Pg. 20
Rhizome coral‐like
Stem yellowish‐green
Raceme inflorescence
Leaves in fan‐like tufts
Leaves in fan‐like tufts
Leaves doubly pinnate
BORAGINACEAE
Leaves hairless Leaves with hairs
Mertensia maritima Mertensia drummondii
DICOTS cont.
CAMPANULACEAE
Leaves entire Leaves dentate
Campanula uniflora
Campanula lasiocarpa
Flowers scarcely exceeding leaves
Stems 5‐10cm high
Eritichium chamissonis
Flowers nodding Flowers not nodding
Eritichium aretoides
FUMARIACEAE
Corydalis pauciflora
GENTIANACEAE
Flowers blue‐green to yellow
Flowers pale blue to white
Gentiana glauca Gentianella propinqua
HIPPURIDACEAE
Hippuris vulgaris
Leaves densely overlapping
Flowers blue Flowers
blue
Leaves oval, pointed at each end
Basal leaves long petiolate
Few blue flowers
Base of stem lies flat on ground
Leaves fleshy, dull grey‐blue
Flowers blue
Flowers funnel shaped Flowers bell
shaped
Leaves mainly basal
Flowers blue
Flowers blue
Flowers irregular
Petals sky blue
Leaves compound
Basal leaves blue‐green, shiny
Terminal flowers larger than lateral
5 sepals
4 sepals Leaves whorled
*Aquatic*
6‐12 leaves per whorl
Pg. 21
*Grows along ground*
Stem leaves reduced
Leaves covered with grey hairs
Leaves dark green
2‐3 pairs of stem leaves
Basal leaves elliptic, often form rosette
Corolla tubular
DICOTS cont. ONAGRACEAE
Stem leaves linear
Epilobiumanagallidifolium Epilobium palustre
Stem leaves ovate or elliptic
PLANTAGINACEAE
Plantagocanescens
PAPAVERACEAE
Papaver macounnellii Petals white with a salmon or rose tint
Petals yellow
Papaver alboresum
Capsule slender or oblong, broadest at top
Capsule oval, broadest at middle
Papaverhultenii
PLUMBAGINACEAE
Armeria maritima
POLEMONIACEAE
Leaves with hairs
Polemoniumacutiflorum Polemonium boreale
Leaves hairless
Flowers rose pink to purple
Flowers white to pink
Stem green or reddish Leaves linear,
lack petiole
<12cm tall
Petals entireStems mostly
solitary
Petals yellow, edges often scalloped
Capsule pear‐shaped
Capsule cylindrical
Leaf lobes widely separated
Papaverlapponicum
Leaf lobes not widely separated
Leaves oval, form rosette
Inflorescence spike‐like
Flowers creamy‐white
Leaves linear
Stem leafless
Inflorescence spherical
Flowers rose pink
Petals with small hairs
Flowers blue to violet
Flowers blue to violet
Petals hairless
Stem hairy
Pg. 22
Leaves opposite
Stem stiff
Leaves grey‐green
*Leaves mostly basal*
DICOTS cont.PRIMULACEAE
Dodecathonfrigidum
Leaves larger, not overlapping
Leaves smaller, overlapping
Primulaegaliksensis
Petals reflexed Petals not reflexed
Androsacechamaejasme
AndrosaceseptentrolalisPYROLACEAE
Inflorescence cylindrical
Pyrola secundaPyrola grandiflora
Inflorescence with flowers on one side
RUBIACEAE
Galium boreale
VALERIANACEAE
Valeriana capitata
Leaves oval, margins wavy
Flowers magenta to lavender
Flowers lavender or white, throat yellow
Leaves elliptic
Stem hairless
Stem hairy
Leaves reddish
Flowers white
Flowers white to cream, yellow at base
Flowers creamy white
Flowers whitish green
Leaves leathery, edges serrated
Leaves rounded, nearly entire
Leaves whorled
Stem square
Petals white
Flowers pink to white
Leaves opposite
Leaves on stem lack petiole
Pg. 23
Sepals green with purple stripes
Dodecathon frigidum 23
Draba cinerea 10
Draba fladnizensis 10
Draba hirta 10
Draba lactea 10
Draba longpipes 10
Draba longpipes 10
Draba micropetala 10
Draba nivalis 10
Epilobium anagallidifolium 22
Epilobium palustre 22
Erigeron eriocephalus 9
Erigeron humilis 9
Erigeron hyperboreus 9
Eritichium aretoides 21
Eritichium chamissonis 21
Eutrema edwardsii 11
Galium boreale 23
Gentiana glauca 21
Gentianella propinqua 21
Hedusarum mackenzii 13
Hedysarum alpinum 13
Hippuris vulgaris 21
Honckenya peploides 12
Koenigia islandica 14
Lagotis glauca 19
Lloydia serotina 20
Lupinus arcticus 13
Melandrium affine 12
Melandrium apetalum 12
Melandrium taylorae 12
Melandrium trifolium 12
Mertensia drummondii 21
Mertensia maritima 21
Minuartia arctica 12
Minuartia obtusiloba 12
Minuartia rossii 12
Minuartia rubella 12
Oxyria digyna 14
Oxytropis nigrescens 13
Papaver alboresum 22
Papaver hultenii 22
Papaver lapponicum 22
Papaver macounnellii 22
Parnassia kotzebuei 17
Parnassia palustris 17
Parrya nudicaulis 10
Parrya nudicaulis 11
Pedicularis capitata 19
Pedicularis kanei 19
Pedicularis lapponica 19
Pedicularis longsdorfii 19
Pedicularis sudetica 19
Pedicularis verticillata 19
Petasites frigidus 9
Petasites hyperboreus 9
Plantago canescens 22
Polemonium acutiflorum 22
Polemonium boreale 22
Polygonum arcticus 14
Polygonum bistorta 14
Polygonum viviparum 14
Potentilla hookeriana 16
Potentilla hyparctica 16
Potentilla palustris 16
Potentilla pulchella 16
Potentilla uniflora 16
Primula egaliksensis 23
Pyrola grandifolia 23
Pyrola secunda 23
Ranunculus gmelinii 15
Ranunculus hyperboreus 15
Ranunculus lapponicus 15
Ranunculus nivalis 15
Ranunculus pallasii 15
Ranunculus pygmaeus 15
Rubus chamaemorus 16
Rumex arcticus 14
Sagina intermedia 12
Saussurea angustifolia 8
Saxifraga bronchialis 18
Saxifraga caespitosa 18
Saxifraga cernua 18
Saxifraga flagellaris 18
Saxifraga foliolosa 18
Saxifraga hieracifolia 18
Saxifraga hirculus 18
Saxifraga nivalis 18
Saxifraga nivalis 18
Saxifraga oppositifolia 18
Saxifraga punctata 18
Saxifraga reflexa 18
Senecio atropurpureus 9
Senecio congestus 9
Senecio hyperborealis 9
Senecio lugens 9
Silene acaulis 12
Solidago multiradiata 9
Stellaria crassifolia 12
Stellaria humifusa 12
Stellaria laeta 12
Taraxacum alaskanum 8
Taraxacum certophorum 8
Tofieldia coccinea 20
Tofieldia pusilla 20
Tripleurospermum phaeocephalum 9
Valeriana capitata 23
Wilhelmsia physodes 12
Zygadenus elegans 20
Species Page
Agropyron boreale 1
Alopecurus alpines 1
Arctograstis latifolia 1
Arctophila fulva 2
Bromus pumpellianus 2
Calamagrostis Canadensis 1
Calamagrostis holmii 1
Calamagrostis inexpansa 1
Calamagrostis purpurascens 1
Deschampsia brevifolia 2
Dupontia fisheri 2
Elymus arenarius 1
Elymus arenarius 1
Festuca altaica 2
Festuca brachyphilla 2
Festuca rubra 2
Hierochloe alpina 2
Hierochloe pauciflora 2
Koeleria asiatica 2
Phippsia algida 1
Poa alpigena 2
Poa alpina 2
Poa arctica 2
Poa glauca 2
Puccinellia borealis 2
Puccinellia langeana 2
Puccinellia phyrganodes 2
Trisetum spicatum 2
Carex aquatilis 5
Carex bigelowii 5
Carex capillaries 5
Carex capitata 4
Carex chordorrhiza 4
Carex glareosa 4
Carex holostoma 5
Carex krausei 5
Carex lachenalii 4
Carex maritima 4
Carex misandra 5
Carex nardina 4
Carex obtusata 4
Carex podocarpa 5
Carex ramenskii 5
Carex rariflora 5
Carex rotundata 5
Carex rupestris 4
Carex saxitilis 5
Carex scirpoidea 4
Carex stans 5
Carex subspathacea 5
Carex ursina 4
Eriophorum angustifolium 3
Eriophorum russeolum 3
Eriophorum triste 3
Eriophorum vaginatum 3
Juncus arcticus 3
Juncus biglumis 3
Juncus triglumis 3
Kobresia myosuroides 3
Kobresia sibirica 3
Luzula arctica 3
Luzula confusa 3
Luzula wahlenbergii 3
Andromeda polifolia 6
Arctostaphylos alpina 6
Betula nana 6
Cassiope tetragona 6
Diapensia lapponica 6
Dryas integrifolia 6
Empetrum nigrum 6
Ledum palustre 6
Rhododendron lapponicum 6
Salix arctia 7
Salix brachycarpa 7
Salix fuscescens 7
Salix glauca 7
Salix hastata 7
Salix lanata 7
Salix ovalifolia 7
Salix phlebophylla 7
Salix pseudopolaris 7
Salix pulchra 7
Salix reticulata 7
Salix rotundifolia 7
Vaccinium uliginosum 6
Vaccinium vitis‐idaea 6
Ameria maritimia 22
Androsace chamaejasme 23
Androsace septentrolalis 23
Anemone drummondii 15
Anemone parvifolia 15
Antennaria friesiana 8
Antennaria monocephala 8
Arabis arenicola 11
Arabis arenicola 11
Arabis lyrata 11
Arnica alpina 9
Arnica lessingii 9
Artemisia arctica 8
Artemisia borealis 8
Artemisia glomerata 8
Artemisia tilesii 8
Aster sibiricus 9
Astragalus alpines 13
Astragalus umbellatus 13
Boykinia richardsonii 17
Braya humilis 10
Braya pilosa 10
Braya purpurascens 10
Bupleurum americanum 20
Caltha palustris 15
Campanula lasiocarpa 21
Campanula uniflora 21
Cardamine bellidifolia 11
Cardamine hyperborea 11
Cardamine pratensis 11
Cardamine pratensis 11
Castilleja caudata 19
Cerastium beeringianum 12
Chrysanthemum integreifolium 9
Chrysoplenium tetrandum 17
Cnidium cnidiifolium 20
Cochlearia officinalis 10
Corallorrhiza trifida 20
Corydalis pauciflora 21
Delphinium brachycentrum 15
Descurainia sophoides 11