Polycnemum L.

1. Polycnemum L. 1

Glabrous or pubescent annuals. Leaves subulate, rigid, spine-tipped. Flowers hermaphrodite, solitary in the axils of leaf-like bracts; bracteoles 2; perianth-segments 5; stamens usually 3; stigmas 2. Seeds vertical.

1 Leaves not more than 0-3 mm in diameter, filiform, often glandular-pubescent 4. heuffelii 1 Leaves at least 0- 5 mm in diameter, triquetrous, usually glabrous

2 Lowerleaves10 -20mm; bracteolesuptotwiceaslongasthe perianth; seeds 1 - 5-2 mm 1. majus 2 Lower leaves 3 -10 (-12)mm; bracteoles as long as the perianth; seeds 1 -1-5 mm

3 Uppermost bracts at least 3 times as long as the perianth

2. arvense 3 Uppermost bracts not more than 2-3 times as long as the perianth 3. verrucosum