A N F Keys
1 Leaves with petiole attached to midpoint on lower surface of blade (peltate); blades ± round and without obvious lobes; inflorescence interrupted, having 10−60 flowers arranged in whorl-like clusters (verticils) of 5−7 flowers .. Hydrocotyle verticillata [pics]
1' Leaves with petiole attached at base of blade; blades broadly heart-shaped with 3 or 5 shallow lobes and cordate at base; inflorescence with only 5−10 flowers all congested at tip .. Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
NB. Hydrocotyle moschata occurs as a lawn weed in Santa Monica and Westwood (Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden), but is not known from any wild collection in California. Hydrocotyle umbellata was documented by early collectors along the Los Angeles River, close to the eastern boundary of the range.
The text of the above keys used with permission from
A Naturalist's Flora of the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills, California
© Copyright
Barry A. Prigge and Arthur C. Gibson
2013