1a.

Leaf margin of at least some leaves toothed.....................

   2

1b.

Leaf margin always entire……...........................................

   3

2a.

Lower surface of leaves covered by silky shining appressed  hairs; male flowers 4-merous; upper surface glabrous with abundant raised cystoliths..........................

   P. sanguinea var. fulgens

2b.

Lower surface clearly visible, sparsely covered with hairs, upper leaves usually distinctly reduced in size...................

   P. sanguinea var. sanguinea

3a.

Leaves with clearly visible basal and upper lateral veins; male  bud not surrounded by a rim; leaves often alternate.

    4

3b.

Leaves 3-veined from base with no upper lateral veins; male  bud surrounded by a rim; all or at least lower leaves opposite  or whorled...........................................................

    5

4a.

Flowers in cymose clusters; male clusters on 1-3 cm long peduncles, female sessile in upper axils; all leaves opposite; all veins arising from basal 1/10 portion; hairs and veins forming longitudinal alternating stripes.............

    P. cymosa

4b.

Flowers always in sessile axillary clusters with flowers of both sexes; at least some leaves alternate; one pair of veins arising from middle; veins  inconspicuous, hairs not in stripes...........................................................................

    P. zeylanica var. zeylanica

5a.

Leaves always opposite or whorled gradually reduced in size above..........................................................................

    6                                                    

5b.

Lower leaves opposite, upper most or those on lateral branches distinctly reduced, alternate and bract-like.......

    7

6a.

Leaves less than 1.5 cm long, rounded or acute at apex; fruiting perianth with 10 conspicuous longitudinal ribs; male flower 3-4 merous....................................................

    P. hirta var. parvifolia

6b.

Leaves longer than 2 cm often up to 17 cm, apex acuminate; fruiting perianth with inconspicuous veins; male flower 5-merous.......................................................

    P. hirta var. hirta

7a.

Axillary branches with bract-like leaves numerous in upper part of stem, 1/10-1/30 of normal leaves; normal leaves in whorls of 3-4......................................................

    P. pentandra subsp. pentandra

7b.

 Axillary branches few or none, if more not with bract-like leaves (latter not smaller than 1/5 of normal leaves); normal leaves mostly opposite..........................................

    8

8a.

Normal leaves shorter than 9 cm, narrower than 1.5 cm; linear to linear-ovate, apex rounded to acute....................

    P.  pentandra subsp. wightii var.   gracilis

8b.

Normal leaves either longer than 9 cm or broader than 2 cm or both, ovate or elliptic ovate, usually acuminate......

    P.  pentandra subsp. wightii var. wightii