Vulgaris: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this species.

	styles usually 3; NOT [styles 5]
	capsule usually divided into partitions at base; NOT [capsule1-celled to base]
	perennial plants; NOT [annual or biennial plants]
	plants with elongate, erect or decumbent stems; NOT [plants densely matted or cushion-forming]
	calyx glabrous, or if pubescent, not glandular; NOT [calyx more or less glandular pubescent]
	calyx 10-15 mm long, with 20 main veins, strongly reticulate;  NOT [calyx to 8  mm long, with 10 simple veins]

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

	plants NOT with woody base
	calyx without bracts; NOT [calyx with 1-3 pairs of bracts below]
	sepals united part way, forming a tube; NOT [sepals entirely separate]
	lobes of sepals NOT over 20 mm long; NOT [sepals with long, leaf-like lobes, over 20 mm long]
	petals usually present; NOT [petals absent]
	petals clawed; NOT [petals lacking claws]
	styles 3-5; NOT [styles 2]
	styles alternate with the petals; NOT [styles opposite the petals]
	ovary stipitate
	fruit dehiscent; NOT [fruit indehiscent]
	fruit several-seeded; NOT [fruit 1-seeded]

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, and with each petal distinct from the others
	sepals more than 2; NOT [sepals 2]
	stamens NOT united at base; NOT [stamens united at base into 3-5 bundles]
	styles 2 or more; NOT [styles single]