Identification Keys

Key 2: Bushes and trees, largely hairless

1 Plants are stipitate (leaves grouped at the end of a single trunk) 2
Plants branch to a greater or lesser extent 7

2 (1) Palmate leaves Thrinax morrisii
Leaves are pinnate or split into pinnas 3

3 (2) Plants without fruit or flowers, sporangios grouped in sori or strobiles 4
Plants with true flowers and fruit 5

4 (3) Sporangios in sori on the underside of leaves, plants without seeds, (ferns) Sphaeropteris myosuroides
Sporangios in strobiles, plants with seeds Microcycas calocoma

5 (3) Leaves pinnate, leaflets oblong, up to 10 cm, crenate-dentate up to centre, with translucent spots Spathelia brittonii
Leaves split into pinnas, linear segments more than 10 cm, entire, without translucent spots 6

6 (5) Trunk over 40 cm diameter, in more or less deep soil Roystonea regia
Trunk under 40 cm diameter, on rocks and crags in the Mogotes Gaussia princeps

7 (1) Leaves are needles, plants without flowers or fruit 8
Leaves otherwise, plants with flowers and fruit 9

8 (7) Leaves generally in bundles of two Pinus tropicalis
Leaves generally in bundles of three Pinus caribaea

9 (7) Leaves simple 10
Leaves compound 104

10 (9) Leaves opposite, almost opposite, with verticels, or in bundles 11
Leaves alternate 43

11 (10) Opposite leaves with stipules between petioles 12
Leaves opposite, almost opposite, with verticels or in fascicles, without stipules between petioles 21

12 (11) Leaf surface generally over 15 cm long and 10 cm wide Genipa americana
Leaf surface generally under 15 cm long and 10 cm wide 13

13 (12) Leaf surface under 1.5 cm long, membraneous, plant spiny Machaonia havanensis
Leaf surface over 1.5 cm long, papery or coriaceous, plant without spines 14

14 (13) Leaf base more or less heart-shaped 15
Leaf base in other form 17

15 (14) Fruit in drupes, stipules falling, leaves grouped at end of stem Guettarda calyptrata
Fruit in capsules, stipules remaining attached, leaves distributed along stem 16

16 (15) Leaves up to 2 cm wide, ovate-elliptic, stipules up to 3 mm wide Rondeletia odorata
Leaves more than 2 cm wide, broadly ovate to oval, stipules over 3 mm wide Roigella correifolia

17 (14) Fruit in capsule 18
Fruit in drupe or berry 19

18 (17) Leaf-surface elliptic to elliptic-ovate, over 1.5 cm wide, stipules 2-3 mm long, corolla 5-6 cm, white Siemensia pendula
Leaf surface lanceolate or oblanceolate, up to 1.5 cm wide; stipules over 3 mm long, corolla under 1 cm, yellowish Ceratopyxis verbenacea

19 (17) Branches commonly sarmentose or climbing, leaf-surface up to 5 cm long, secondary veins slightly prominent on underside, fruit white Chiococca alba
Branches not sarmentose or climbing, leaf-surface generally more than 5 cm long, secondary nerves prominent on underside, fruit dark brown or black 20

20 (19) Branches glabrous, fruit in drupe, spherical Faramea occidentalis
Branches seriaceous, especially in young parts; fruit in berry, oval Amaioua corimbosa

21 (11) Leaf margin crenate, crenulate, serrate, serrulate, dentate or denticulate 22
Leaf margin entire or almost entire 25

22 (21) Leaf-surface with single, central longitudinal vein; leaves with ternate verticels, aromatic Lantana strigosa
Leaf-surface with 3 or 5 longitudinal veins, opposite leaves, not aromatic 23

23 (22) Branches and petioles tomentose, leaves with rusty tomentose hair on underside Conostegia xalapensis
Branches and petioles hirsute, leaves hirsute on underside 24

24 (23) Presence of abundant glandulous hairs Clidemia capitellata
No glandular hairs Clidemia hirta

25 (21) Stems with curved spines Pisonia aculeata
Stems not spiny 26

26 (25) Leaves in bundles, inserted into a widened place in stem, prominent, fruit in capsule Adelia ricinella
Leaves opposite, fruit in other form 27

27 (26) Leaves decussate, dense, forming 4 rows along the stem Hypericum styphelioides
Leaves may be decussate, not dense, not forming 4 rows 28

28 (27) Leaves with glandulous translucent spots, aromatic 29
Leaves without translucent glandulous spots, not aromatic 31

29 (28) Leaf surface less than 10 cm long, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, tree at the edge of rivers and ravines Syzygium jambos
Leaf-surface under 10 cm long, elongated elliptic, oblong, ovate or oval, bushes in rocks in the Mogotes 30

30 (29) Leaf-surface elongated elliptic to oblong, up to 2.5 cm long Eugenia rocana
Leaf-surface ovate to oval, 5 to 8 cm long Eugenia galeata

31 (28) Leaf-surface with several longitudinal veins 32
Leaf-surface with onlt one central longitudinal vein 34

32 (31) Branches and petioles furfuraceous, pubescent; leaves coriaceous Pachyanthus poiretii
Branches and petioles hirsute; leaves papery 33

33 (32) With abundant glandulous hairs Clidemia capitellata
No glandulous hairs Clidemia hirta

34 (31) Plants with abundant white, milky latex Tabernaemontana amblyocarpa
Plants without white, milky latex 35

35 (34) Plants with yellow resinous latex, leaf apex obtuse, rounded or retuse, lateral veins numerous, parallel, linked together (sometimes inconspicuous) 36
Plants without resinous yellow latex; leaf apex obtuse to pointed or acuminate; lateral veins few and far between 39

36 (35) Leaf-surface elliptic to oblong, fruit in drupe Calophyllum antillanum
Leaf-surface broadly obovate, fruit in capsule 37

37 (36) Leaves larger than 10 cm long, fruit 4-8 cm diameter, stigmas 7-9 Clusia rosea
Leaves smaller than 10 cm, fruit 1-2 cm diameter, stigmas 4-6 38

38 (37) Petiole 1-2 cm, leaf 5-10 cm long Clusia minor
Petiole 0.3-1 cm, leaf 3-7 cm long Clusia brittonii

39 (35) Leaves papery, 10-20 cm long Pera oppositifolia
Leaves papery to coriaceous, 4-14cm long 40

40 (39) Leaf base rounded to almost heart-shaped, leaves coriaceous, very reticulate Cuervea integrifolia
Leaf base cuneiform or pointed, leaves papery or slightly coriaceous, not markedly reticulate, veins may be prominent 41

41 (40) Stems and leaves (especially when young) with rusty tomentose hair Byrsonima crassifolia
Stems glabrous or pubescent, but without rusty hairs 42

42 (41) Flowers in spiked racemes, corolla white, gamopetalous Citharexylum spinosum
Flowers in panicles, corolla yellow, dialypetalous Bunchosia media

43 (10) Leaf margin crenate, serrate, dentate, lobed or sinuous (at least at apex) 44
Leaf margin entire or almost entire 63

44 (43) Leaves lobed or sinuous 45
Leaves not lobed or sinuous 50

45 (44) Leaf surface almost orbicular, 7-9 palmate lobes, white on underside, peltate Cecropia peltata
Leaf surface in other shape, with 3-7 lobes, not white on underside or peltate 46

46 (45) Leaves with spiny veins Solanum myriacanthum
Leaves without spines 47

47 (46) Leaves up to 0.8 cm wide Myrica cerifera
Leaves over 1 cm wide 48

48 (47) Leaves coriaceous, apex generally obtuse to rounded, flowers small, yellow Quercus oleoides subsp. sagreana
Leaves memraneous to papery, apex generally acuminate or pointed, flowers attractive, pink 49

49 (48) Leaf surface wider than long (broadly ovate), fruit in schizocarp, 5 carpels, spiny Urena lobata
Leaf-surface longer than wide (elliptic, oblong or obovate), fruit in capsule, 3 carpels, not spiny Jatropha integerrima

50 (44) Leaves spiny, plant irritant Urera baccifera
Leaves not spiny, plants not irritant 51

51 (50) Leaves clearly with 3 main veins at base 52
Leaves not clearly with three nerves at base 56

52 (51) Bush more or less climbing, branches with curved spines Celtis iguanea
Bush or tree, not climbing, without spines 53

53 (52) Leaf surface with white spots on underside, apex pointed, obtuse, or rounded Croton corylifolius
Leaf surface without white spots on underside, apex acuminate 54

54 (53) Leaf surface with dense tomentose hair on underside Guazuma ulmifolia
Leaf surface glabrous or almost glabrous on underside 55

55 (54) Leaf surface 12 to 25 cm long Alchornea latifolia
Leaf surface up to 12 cm long Celtis trinervia

56 (51) Leaf surface oblanceolate, up to 0.8cm wide Myrica cerifera
Leaf surface elliptic, oblong or obovate, over 1 cm wide 57

57 (56) Leaf surface with many translucent spots and lines 58
Leaf surface without translucent spots and lines 59

58 (57) Leaf surface obovate, base cuneiform Casearia guianensis
Leaf surface oblong or elliptic, base rounded to almost heart-shaped Zuelania guidonia

59 (57) Leaf surface densely villous on both sides, flowers attractive; corolla red, tubular Rythidophyllum rupincola
Leaf surface glabrous or with other vestiture; flowers small, corolla white, yellow, or absent, not tubular 60

60 (59) Leaf surface over 4 cm wide, very rough Davilla rugosa
Leaf surface up to 4 cm wide, not rough 61

61 (60) Base rounded to obtuse Gossypiospermum praecox
Base cuneiform or pointed 62

62 (61) Leaves glabrous, brilliant, unicoloured Gymnanthes lucida
Leaves scabrid, not brilliant, discoloured Vernonia menthaefolia

63 (43) Leaf surface linear, elongated lanceolate or oblanceolate, up to 0.8 cm wide 64
Leaf surface in other form, over 0.8 cm wide 66

64 (63) Leaves mucronate Jacquinia aculeata
Leaves not mucronate 65

65 (64) Midrib sunken on upper side, margin revolute Befaria cubensis
Midrib not sunken on upper side, margin plane Myrica cerifera

66 (63) Branches with curved spines Celtis iguanaea
Branches without spines 67

67 (66) Plants with abundant white milky latex Plumeria emarginata
Plants without latex, or without milky latex 68

68 (67) Leaf surface obovate-elliptic, obovate-oblong, obovate or orbicular 69
Leaf surface lanceolate, elliptic, oblong, ovate-elliptic, ovate oblong or ovate to cordate 85

69 (68) Leaf apex obtuse, rounded, emarginate or truncate 70
Leaf apex pointed, apiculate or acuminate 78

70 (69) Bark and leaves aromatic Canella winteriana
Bark and leaves not aromatic 71

71 (70) Petiole 1 to 3 cm, flowers very large, corolla 20 to 30 cm Solandra longiflora
Petiole under 1 cm, flowers small, corolla under 2 cm or absent 72

72 (71) Lateral veins numerous, parallel, more or less apretate, leaves brilliant Espadea amoena
Lateral veins not numerous, quite far between, leaves not brilliant 73

73 (72) Leaf surface 0.8 to 3 cm long Lyonia myrtilloides
Leaf surface over 3 cm long 74

74 (73) Leaf surface almost as wide as long, broadly obovate or orbicular Chrysobalanus icaco
Leaf surface longer than wide, not broadly obovate or orbicular 75

75 (74) Leaves coriaceous, fruit in winged/unwinged nut 76
Leaves membraneous, fruit in drupe 77

76 (75) Adult leaves glabrous on both sides, unicoloured, fruit in 2-winged nut Terminalia neglecta
Leaves densely pubescent on underside, discoloured, fruit in nut with scaly cup Quercus oleoides subsp. sagreana

77 (75) Leaf surface with areoles on underside in two lines parallel to midrib, 5-13 cm long Erythroxylum areolatum
Leaf surface without areoles, or areoles barely visible, 3-8 cm long Erythroxylum havanensis

78 (69) Petiole over 1 cm 79
Petiole under 1 cm 81

79 (78) Petiole up to 3 cm, flowers solitary, very large, corolla 20-30 cm Solandra longiflora
Petiole over 3 cm, flowers in inflorescences, corolla under 1.5 cm 80

80 (79) Base rounded to almost heart-shaped flowers in dychotomous cymes, petals pink Jatropha integerrima
Base decurrent, pointed or obtuse, flowers in compound umbels, petals greeny-white Dendropanax arboreus

81 (78) Lateral veins numerous, parallel, more or less apretate Espadea amoena
Lateral veins not numerous, and quite far between 82

82 (81) Leaves pubescent at least on underside 83
Leaves glabrous or almost glabrous 84

83 (82) Leaves coriaceous, revolute, glabrous, and brilliant on upper side Quercus oleoides subsp. sagreana
Leaves papery, not revolute or brilliant on upper side, slightly scabrid Vernonia menthaefolia

84 (82) Leaf surface papery, 1-3 cm wide, drupe spherical Schaefferia frutescens
Leaf surface membraneous, 0.5-1.2 cm wide, capsule 3-lobed Adelia ricinella

85 (68) Leaf surface broadly ovate to cordate, over 10 cm wide, petiole with two very visible glands, 3-5 mm Omphalea hypoleuca
Leaf surface lanceolate, elliptic, oblong, ovate-elliptic to ovate-oblong, under 10 cm wide, petiole without visible glands 86

86 (85) Leaf surface with many translucent spots and lines, base slightly asymmetrical Zuelania guidonia
Leaf surface without translucent spots and lines, base symmetrical 87

87 (86) Petiole over 1 cm long 88
Petiole under 1 cm long 93

88 (87) Leaf surface generally over 4 cm wide 89
Leaf surface generally under 4 cm wide 92

89 (88) Leaves very rough, leateral veins sunken on upper side Davilla rugosa
Leaves not rough, lateral veins not sunken on upperside 90

90 (89) Petiole up to 3 cm, flowers solitary, very large, corolla 20-30 cm Solandra longiflora
Petiole over 3 cm, flowers in inflorescences, corolla under 1.5 cm 91

91 (90) Leaf base rounded to almost heart-shaped, flowers in dichotomous cymes, petals pink Jatropha integerrima
Leaf base decurrent, pointed or obtuse, flowers in compound umbels, petals greeny-white Dendropanax arboreus

92 (88) Leaf apex elongated acuminate, flowers in dense cymes, corolla 2-3 cm Cordia gerascanthus
Leaf apex rounded, obtuse or shortly apiculate, flowers solitary, corolla 20-30 cm Solandra longiflora

93 (87) Leaf surface over 5 cm wide Pera oppositifolia
Leaf surface under 5 cm wide 94

94 (93) Leaf apex acuminate 95
Leaf apex pointed, rounded, or emarginate 99

95 (94) Leaf surface over 9 cm long Xylopia aromatica
Leaf surface under 9 cm long 96

96 (95) Leaf base obtuse to rounded or almost heart-shaped, plant not aromatic Savia sessiliflora
Leaf base pointed or decurrent, plant may be aromatic 97

97 (96) Inflorescence capitate, plant not aromatic Vernonia aronifolia
Flowers solitary or in non-capitate inflorescence, plants aromatic 98

98 (97) Leaves in distichous position, short petiole (1-2 mm), fruit is berry Oxandra lanceolata
Leaves not in clearly distichous position, petiole over 4 mm, fruit is drupe, with cup Nectandra coriacea

99 (94) Leaf apex pointed to obtuse 100
Leaf apex rounded or emarginate 102

100 (99) Leaves glabrous Shaefferia frutescens
Leaves pubescent, at least on underside 101

101 (100) Leaves coriaceous, revolute, glabrous and brilliant on upper side Quercus oleoides subsp. sagreana
Leaves papery, not revolute or brilliant on upper side, slightly scabrid Vernonia menthaefolia

102 (99) Leaves coriaceous, distinctly reticulate Capparis flexuosa
Leaves membraneous, not prominently reticulate 103

103 (102) Leaf surface with areoles on underside, in two lines parallel to midrib, 5 to 13 cm long Erythroxylum areolatum
Leaf surface without apparent areoles, 3-8 cm long Erythroxylum havanensis

104 (9) With compound digitate leaves 105
Leaves pinnate (includes trifoliate) 108

105 (104) Leaflets 7 to 10, over 20 cm long, petiolules over 3 cm Schefflera morototoni
Leaflets 5-9, under 20 cm long, petiolules under 3 cm 106

106 (105) Leaflets emarginate to rounded at apex Bombacopsis cubensis
Leaflets acuminate at apex 107

107 (106) Leaflet base truncate to almost heart-shaped Ekmanianthe actinophylla
Leaflet base decurrent Ceiba pentandra

108 (104) Leaves trifoliate 109
Leaves with 5 or more leaflets 110

109 (108) Leaflets with glandular translucent spots, aromatic Amyris balsamifera
Leaflets without translucent glandulous spots, not aromatic Erythrina cubensis

110 (108) Leaves paripinnate or paribipinnate 111
Leaves imparipinnate 116

111 (110) Leaves paribipinnate 112
Leaves paripinnate 113

112 (111) Leaflets obovate, 2-7 cm long Abarema obovalis
Leaflets oblong to lanceolate, 0.7-1.7 cm long Cojoba arborea

113 (111) Leaflets dentate, tomentose on underside Cupania americana
Leaflets entire, glabrous or almost glabrous on underside 114

114 (113) Leaflets markedly asymmetrical Cedrela odorata
Leaflets symmetrical 115

115 (114) Leaflets almost directly attached Matayba oppositifolia
Leaflets supported by petiolules of 0.4-1 cm long Guarea guidonia

116 (110) Leaflets dentate 117
Leaflets entire or crenulate 118

117 (116) Leaflets sharply dentate, glabrous on underside Comocladia dentata
Leaflets not sharply dentate, tomentose on underside Cupania americana

118 (116) Leaflets with translucent glandular spots, aromatic 119
Leaflets without translucent glandular spots, may be aromatic 121

119 (118) Plants without spines, leaves with up to 5 leaflets Amyris balsamifera
Plants with spines, at least on leaves, which have more than 5 leaflets 120

120 (119) Leave up to 20 m high, leaflets 3-13 cm long Zanthoxylum martinicense
Bush or small tree up to 4 m high, leaflets under 3 cm long Zanthoxylum pimpinelloides

121 (118) Leaflet apex pointed or slightly to elongated acuminate 122
Leaflet apex obtuse to rounded 127

122 (121) Leaflets symmetrical 123
Leaflets asymmetric (if only slightly) 125

123 (122) Flowers in bells, corolla 8-11 cm long, orange Spathodea campanulata
Flowers not bell-shaped, corolla white or pink, at least 2 cm long 124

124 (123) Leaflets markedly reticulate on both sides, fruit in pod, over 15 cm Hebestigma cubense
Leaflets not reticulate on both sides, fruit in berry up to 1.5 cm Picramnia pentandra

125 (122) Bark browny-grey with vertical grooves, leaflets very asymmetrical, midrib curved, fruit in drupe Spondias mombin
Bark red, peeling in slim strips, leaflets slightly asymmetrical, midrib straight, fruit in capsule 126

126 (125) Leaflets 5 or 7, broadly ovate to elliptic or oblong Bursera simaruba
Leaflets 1 or 3, lanceolate Bursera shaferi

127 (121) Leaflets 3-9, pod more or less orbicular, up to 1.3 cm long Ateleia gummifera
Leaflets 9-13, pod not orbicular, 2.5-3.5 cm long Behaimia cubensis


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