Chlorophytum Ker Gawl.

Genus Chlorophytum Ker Gawl. Key to all species, subspecies and varieties of Chlorophytum Ker Gawl. in Madagascar The authors recommend that specimen identification should be performed on the most complete specimens available, and that flowers, fruits, leaves and the root system should all be examined whenever possible. Some characteristics are difficult to determine: if possible, alternatives such as ʻscabrous vs smooth' should be observed with a binocular microscope at ×25 magnification; seeds are often distorted, either due to being closely packed in the capsule or due to drying artefacts. Supplementary keys to accepted infraspecific taxa are placed at the beginning of the treatment for each species. 1. Floral bracts short and acute, 4 × 5 mm, purple (reddish when dry); fruits erect, longer than they are wide, the apex distinctly apiculate; plants up to 1 metre in height ..................................................... ............................................................................................................. C. tripedale (Baker) H.Perrier – Floral bracts of varying sizes, usually acuminate, not purple (brown or pale grey when dry); fruits erect or pendulous, with an apex that is not apiculate, or if apiculate then with pendulous fruits (C. graniticum) and of variable proportions; plants rarely exceed 60 cm in height ......................... 2 2. Plant with hairy rachises and peduncles; perianth approximately 5 mm long; anthers longer than the filaments .............................................................................................................. Chlorophytum sp. 2 – Plant does not exhibit this character combination ............................................................................ 3 3. Inflorescence branched ..................................................................................................................... 4 – Inflorescence simple ......................................................................................................................... 5 4. Inflorescence sparsely branched (with a few branches at the base) ................................................ 10 – Inflorescence well-branched ........................................................................................................... 12 5. The largest inflorescence bract> 12 cm long, always scabrous .......................... Chlorophytum sp. 1 – The largest inflorescence bract