Vulgatum: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 

	perennial, with basal offshoots; NOT [annual, lacking basal offshoots]
	axillary shoots few or lacking; NOT [axillary shoots numerous, at the axils of most leaves]
	stems usually glandular pubescent, with the leaves stiffly hirsute, ciliate; NOT [stems and leaves pilose or glandular pilose]
	petals equalling or shorter than sepals
	capsule 1-2 times longer than sepals; NOT [capsule 2-3 times longer than sepals]

Cerastium: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus. 

	plants not with woody base
	plants without stipules; NOT [plants with small, ovate, papery stipules at junction of stem and leaf, and stem and branch]
	sepals entirely separate; NOT [sepals united part way, forming a tube]
	corolla present; NOT [corolla absent]
	petals deeply 2-cleft; NOT [petals entire or merely notched at apex]
	petals lacking claws
	styles usually 5; NOT [styles usually 3]
	ovary not stipitate
	capsule long, cylindric, often curved; NOT [capsule short, ovoid or ellipsoid]
	capsule opening with twice as many valves or teeth as there are styles; NOT [capsule opening with as many entire (or later 2-cleft) valves as there are styles] (BF)
	capsule usually opening with 10 valves; NOT [capsule usually opening with 6 valves] (BF)
	capsule dehiscing by teeth (10); NOT [capsule dehiscing by valves] (FOA)
	fruit dehiscent; NOT [fruit indehiscent]
	fruit many-seeded; NOT [fruit with a single seed]

Caryophyllaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 

	herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]
	plants terrestrial or semiaquatic; NOT [plants aquatic, leaves submerged or floating]
	terrestrial plants; NOT [mud plants with small axillary flowers]
	plants not with colored milky juice
	plants with more than one normal leaf
	leaves opposite, whorled, or basal; NOT [some or all leaves alternate]
	leaves not glandular-dotted
	plants without large petal-like bracts; NOT [plants with an involucre of 4 petal-like bracts]
	flowers with two floral rings
	sepals more than 2; NOT [sepals 2]
	each petal distinct from the others
	stamens not united at base; NOT [stamens united at base into 3-5 bundles]
	styles 2 or more; NOT [styles single]