The Plants of Michigan / Simple Keys for the Identification of the Native Seed Plants of the State

by Henry A. Gleason

1a. Leaflets 7 to many (1-5 m. high) (Sumach) [— 2.]
1b. Leaflets 3-5.
2a. Axis of the leaves wing-margined between the leaflets	Sumach, Rhus copallina.
2b. Axis of the leaves not margined [— 3.]
3a. Leaflets entire	Poison Sumach, Rhus vernix.
3b. Leaflets serrate [— 4.]
4a. Bark of the older stems glabrous	Sumach, Rhus glabra.
4b. Bark of the older stems densely velvety-hairy	Sumach, Rhus typhina.
5a. Terminal leaflet narrowed to a sessile base (5-20 dm. high)	Sumach, Rhus canadensis.
5b. Terminal leaflet on a definite stalk, round or acute at base (3-8 dm. high, or climbing by hold-fast roots)	Poison Ivy, Rhus toxicodendron.

AQUIFOLIACEAE, the Holly Family

Shrubs, with alternate simple leaves and small white or greenish axillary flowers in late spring and early summer; sepals, petals, and stamens each 4-6; fruit a berry.

1a. Leaves entire or nearly so, 1-3 cm. long (1-2 m. tall)	Mountain Holly, Nemopanthus mucronata.
1b. Leaves sharply serrate, 5-8 cm. long (2-5 m. high) (Black Alder) — 2.
2a. Leaves downy on the veins beneath; fruit red	Black Alder, Ilex verticillata.
2b. Leaves nearly or quite glabrous; fruit orange	Black Alder, Ilex verticillata var. tenuifolia.

CELASTRACEAE, the Staff Tree Family

Shrubs with simple leaves and inconspicuous flowers; sepals and petals each 4 or 5, the stamens of the same number and attached to a disk which fills the center of the flower; fruit showy, orange and red.

1a. Leaves alternate (climbing vine; flowers in racemes; late spring)	Bitter-sweet, Celastrus scandens.
1b. Leaves opposite (flowers in axillary clusters) — 2.
2a. Prostrate, with short erect branches; leaves broadest above the middle (spring)	Creeping Wahoo, Evonymus obovatus.
2b. Tall shrub, with leaves broadest below or near the middle (early summer)	Wahoo, Evonymus atropurpureus.

STAPHYLEACEAE, the Bladder Nut Family

Shrubs with opposite trifoliate leaves and small axillary clusters of white flowers in spring; sepals, petals, and stamens each 5; ovary 3-celled, ripening into a large inflated 3-celled pod.

One species in Michigan (2-5 m. high)

Bladder Nut, Staphylea trifolia.