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Aralia
See list of 5 species in this genus-
1a. Plants scapose, both the leafless peduncle arising from near ground level and the single leaf arising from a very short, woody stem at the surface of the ground
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1b. Plants with evident, leafy stems, the peduncles arising from well above the surface of the ground
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2a. Plants shrubs or small trees, up to 10 m tall, armed with stout prickles; styles distinct (sometimes connate to near the middle in A. elata)
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3a. Leafules (or leafulets on tripinnately compound leaves) ± glabrous abaxially, with veins anastomosing before reaching the marginal teeth, with petiolules longer than 2 mm; branchlets light brown
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3b. Leafules (or leafulets on tripinnately compound leaves) pubescent abaxially, with veins essentially running into the marginal teeth, subsessile; branchlets light gray
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2b. Plants herbaceous, up to 2 m tall, unarmed or armed with slender bristles near the base of the plant; styles connate about half their length
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4a. Inflorescence composed of a few to several umbels in a cluster resembling a corymb; stems armed near the base with slender bristles; plants commonly of dry, sandy, and/or sterile soils; ultimate leaf segments rounded to cuneate at the base
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4b. Inflorescence composed of numerous umbels in a cluster resembling a panicle; stems unarmed; plants of rich, mesic soils; ultimate leaf segments cordate at the base
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Each photo represents one species in this genus.