Hoodii: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF)  and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this species. 

	stem decumbent or tufted; NOT [stem erect]
	leaves short, usually not more than 10-12 mm long
	leaves less than 2 mm wide; NOT [leaves 2-4 mm wide]
	leaves awl-shaped; NOT [leaves linear to lanceolate to oblong]
	leaves with cobwebby hairs; NOT [leaves mostly without cobwebby hairs but may have ciliate margins]
	tube of corolla slightly longer than calyx; NOT [tube of corolla much longer than calyx]
	tube of corolla less than 12 mm long; NOT  [tube of corolla more than 12 mm long] (BF)
	corolla 8-10 mm long; NOT [corolla 15-18 mm long] (FOA)

Phlox: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF)  and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this genus. 

	plants perennial; NOT [plants annual]
	plants forming dense tufts or mats
	leaves mostly opposite; NOT [the upper leaves, at least, alternate]
	leaves simple; NOT [leaves deeply dissected or pinnate], NOT [leaves divided], NOT [leaves compound with many small leaflets]
	leaves entire

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

	herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]
	plants green or with some chlorophyll; NOT [plants parasitic or saprophytic, without chlorophyll]
	plants WITHOUT milky juice
	plants NOT twining
	stems round; NOT [stems square]
	leaves not with 3 leaflets; NOT [leaves mostly basal, 1-3 times divided into 3 leaflets]
	flowers usually colored; NOT [flowers very small, greenish]
	corolla regular; NOT [corolla irregular], NOT [corolla 2-lipped]
	stamens 4 or 5; NOT [stamens 8 or 10]
	stamens alternating with corolla lobes, or twice their number; NOT [stamens directly in front of corolla lobes]
	style terminal; NOT [style from center of lobes of ovary]
	ovary superior; NOT [ovary inferior]
	ovary 3-celled; NOT [ovary 2-celled], NOT [ovary 1-celled]
	ovary with seeds born on axis in center of cell; NOT [ovary with seeds borne on wall of cell]
	fruit a capsule; NOT [fruit a berry], NOT [fruit with 4 nutlets]