| 1. | Spikelets 4-10 mm long | H. abortiva (NSW WA QLD) |
| Spikelets less than 4 mm long | 2 | |
|
2.
3. |
Lemmas and paleas glabrous | H. baileyi (QLD) |
| Lemmas and paleas with a ciliate fringe | 3 | |
| Spikelets 2-2.5 x 2-3.5 mm | H. gulliveri var. gulliveri (NT QLD) | |
| Spikelets 3-4 x 3-4 mm | H. gulliveri var. major (WA QLD) |
Key to Heterachne derived from Hubbard 1935d
Taxonomic name: