1. Ventral surface of the leaves glabrous, the petioles not ciliate-margined, nor tufted at the base ..................................................... Cryptantha cinera var. pustulosa

    1’ Ventral surface of the leaves strigose or setose, the petioles ciliate-margined; leaves tufted at the base

        2. Stems simple, not branched above the base

            3. Stems 1-4.4 dm long, usually twice as long as the basal tuft of leaves .................................................... Cryptantha cinera var. cinerea [C. c. var. multicaulis]

            3’ Stems 0.2-0.9 dm long, usually not exceeding the basal tuft of leaves

                4. Floral bracts exceeding the cymules; stems low, decumbent; Nevada and California ............................................................. Cryptantha cinera var. abortiva

                4’ Floral bracts not exceeding the cymules; stems erect or nearly so ................................................................................................. Cryptantha cinera var. setosa

        2’ Stems branched from the base as well as above

            5. Stems decumbent; plants of the Great Plains ....................................................................................................................................... Cryptantha cinera var. jamesii

            5’ Stems erect; plants west of the continental divide

                6. Leaves linear; cymules 8 cm long or longer, very lax; native to southern New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico ................................ Cryptantha cinera var. laxa

                6’ Leaves oblanceolate; cymules usually much shorter than 8 cm long, and more congested .................................................... Cryptantha cinera var. disticha