| 1 | Midrib on the upper side of the leaf prominent, at least 0.3 mm high and less than 1 mm wide (primary bud scales no more than 5 mm long). |
| 1' | Midrib on the upper side of the leaf at least 1 mm wide or indistinctly raised or both. |
| 2 | Juvenile leaves acuminate, midrib bold with vertical sides. Primary bud scales 1-1.5 mm wide. |
| 2' | Juvenile leaves never acuminate, midrib with sloping sides. Primary bud scales 2 mm wide (pollen cones usually pedunculate). |
| 3 | Leaf at least 7 cm by 10 mm, not apiculate, new leaves green to reddish, midrib 0.4-0.8 mm wide (where only 0.4-0.5 mm wide the leaf usually acuminate). Pollen cones normally sessile. Ripe receptacle red. |
| 3' | Adult leaf no more than 6 cm by 10 mm, often apiculate, new leaves bright red, midrib 0.3 mm wide. Pollen cones often on a short peduncle. Ripe receptacle often purple |
| 4 | Leaf at least 7 cm by 10 mm, linear-oblong (midrib 0.5 mm wide). Pollen cone usually solitary. Receptacle often with three fleshy bracts |
| 4' | Adult leaf no more than 9 cm by 9 mm, elliptic. Pollen cones usually in clusters of 2-3. Receptacle of two bracts only |
| 5 | Midrib prominently raised above, 0.3 mm high, often drying to a channel below (leaves distinctly thicker than usual for the genus). Primary bud scales may reach at least 1 cm long. |
| 5' | Upper surface of leaf flat or nearly so, lower surface generally lacking a channel (leaves not thicker than usual for the genus). bud scales never as long as 1 cm. |
| 6 | Leaves more than 10 cm long. Female peduncle 9-15 mm. Primary bud scales and leaves deflexed |
| 6' | Leaves less than 10 cm long. Female peduncle 2 mm. Primary bud scales and leaves erect |
| 7 | Leaves lanceolate or narrowly linear |
| 7' | Leaves oblong, not tapering |
