# Vegetative key to the families
**Source**: https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/browse/vegetative-key-to-the-families/
**Parent**: https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/browse/vascular-plants/
Vegetative Key [Vegetative key to the families](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/taxon/vegetative-key-to-the-families)
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GRASSES. Herbs. Leaf bases modified to form an open [sheath](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/sheath "a long tubular structure, either entire or split longitudinally on one side.") which encloses the stem; leaf blade with parallel [venation](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/venation "the manner in which the veins of leaves are arranged.") and abruptly distinct from the [sheath](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/sheath "a long tubular structure, either entire or split longitudinally on one side."); [LIGULE](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/ligule "membranous or hairy outgrowth at the inner junction of the leaf sheath and blade of grasses;") usually present at the top of the [sheath](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/sheath "a long tubular structure, either entire or split longitudinally on one side.") (Fig 24) [Poaceae](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/taxon/poaceae)
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PALMS. Leaves large, pinnately or palmately divided, the segments with parallel [venation](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/venation "the manner in which the veins of leaves are arranged."); leaf bases enclosing or clasping the stem. Young inflorescences enclosed by a large [deciduous](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/deciduous "falling seasonally (e.g. leaves and bark of some trees, parts of the flower).") [spathe](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/spathe "a large bract situated at the base of a spadix which it encloses in a sheath.") [Arecaceae](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/taxon/arecaceae)
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STEMS SQUARE (or [quadrangular](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/quadrangular "four-angled (hence four-sided).")), smooth or hairy but not scabrous; leaves [opposite](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/opposite "arising at the same level but on opposite sides.") or rarely whorled, fragrant but usually without oil dots; fruit separating into 4 articles [Lamiaceae](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/taxon/lamiaceae)
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HAIRS WITH SWOLLEN BASES present on leaves and stems. Herbs; whole plant scabrous and raspy to the touch; leaves [alternate](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/alternate "arranged singly at different heights on the axis and in 2 rows longitudinally; commonly used also to include spiral arrangement."). [Inflorescence](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/inflorescence "a group of flowers borne on one stem; the way in which flowers are arranged on a stem.") [cymose](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/cyme "an inflorescence in which the terminal flower terminates the growth of the main axis which is replaced by one or two lateral buds, the process being repeated throughout the inflorescence. ") [Boraginaceae](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/taxon/boraginaceae)
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[OCHREA](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/ochrea "a sheath formed from 2 stipules encircling the stem in most Polygonaceae.") ([sheath](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/sheath "a long tubular structure, either entire or split longitudinally on one side.")) Present around the stem and [petiole](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/petiole "the stalk of a leaf or the stipe of a pteridophyte."), formed from [fused](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/fused "joined and growing together.") stipules (Fig. 25). Leaves [alternate](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/alternate "arranged singly at different heights on the axis and in 2 rows longitudinally; commonly used also to include spiral arrangement."). Herbs [Polygonaceae](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/taxon/polygonaceae)
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Herbs with SWOLLEN NODES and [opposite](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/opposite "arising at the same level but on opposite sides.") or rarely whorled leaves; leaves always [simple](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/simple "(of leaves) undivided.") with [entire](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/entire "without division, incision, or separation.") margins; the leaf bases often [connate](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/connate "organically fused to one or more members of the same whorl."). Stipules mostly absent, sometimes [membranous](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/membranous "thin and translucent.") and [connate](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/connate "organically fused to one or more members of the same whorl.") [Caryophyllaceae](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/taxon/caryophyllaceae)
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WOODY PLANT(usually shrubs) with leaves with PARALLEL [VENATION](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/venation "the manner in which the veins of leaves are arranged.") (Fig. 26). Leaves [alternate](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/alternate "arranged singly at different heights on the axis and in 2 rows longitudinally; commonly used also to include spiral arrangement.") or spirally arranged, often crowded, rigid, [ericoid](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/ericoid "(of leaves) small and sharply pointed like those of the heaths."), often sharp-pointed; the margins usually [entire](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/entire "without division, incision, or separation.") but sometimes [denticulate](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/denticulate "finely toothed."); stipules absent [Ericaceae](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/taxon/ericaceae)
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PHYLLODES present with a raised or [depressed](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/depressed "flattened endwise or from above.") extra-[floral](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/floral "belonging to the flower or seated near the flower.") [nectary](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/nectary "a specialized gland that secretes nectar.") on the [adaxial](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/adaxial "the side or face turned towards the axis, such as the upper surface of the leaf; ventral.") edge, hanging or standing with the [nectary](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/nectary "a specialized gland that secretes nectar.") uppermost. (A few species of Acacia with exceptional additional structures are included in the key below) (Mimosoideae [Fabaceae](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/taxon/fabaceae)
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INSECTIVEROUS PLANTS with either sticky glands on the leaves (Fig.28), or with bladders 1–2 mm long on submerged or subterranean leaves (Fig. 28). Very delicate herbs
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FREE FLOATING WATER PLANTS; roots, when present, not rooted in the mud. (Note: there are 2 genera of ferns which are free floating, see Azolla and Salvinia)
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Submerged plants rooted in mud. Leaves submerged or floating on the surface or sometimes the leaf blades held erect above the water surface. Freshwater or marine ([Amphibious](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/amphibious "growing on land or in water; growing with part of the plant in mud or water and with part in the air.") plants are not included in this group)
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MANGROVES. Woody plants growing in saline mud near the coast
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ROOTLESS EPIPHYTIC PARASITES.
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TENDRILS present on stem or leaves; plants climbing or [decumbent](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/decumbent "reclining but with the summit ascending (applied to branches whose lower portions lie on or near the ground while the tips grow upwards).")
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LEAVES REDUCED TO SCALES ON THE AERIAL STEMS
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EPIPHYTES on trees or rocks
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LATEX (milky white or yellow) present in stem and leaves
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Either: leaves whorled; or leaves [opposite](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/opposite "arising at the same level but on opposite sides.") and [interpetiolar](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/interpetiolar "between the petioles of opposite leaves (applied to stipules).") stipules present (Fig. 29). Herbs and woody plants
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Remaining groups