1Prostrate, mat-like shrubs; petioles 3–20 mm long, usually at least c. half as long as laminaCommersonia prostrata
1Erect, spreading shrub, to c. 4 m high; petioles 2–6 mm long, usually less than c. one-fifth the length of the lamina2
2Leaf undersurace with long stellate hairs, all the same length; apical hairs of fruit setae reflexedCommersonia dasyphylla
2Leaf undersurface with long stellate hairs over a layer of shorter stellate hairs; apical hairs of fruit setae erect or horizontal3
3Mature leaf elliptic to narrowly elliptic, rarely ovate; anther filaments mainly glabrous; fruit setae to 0.9 mm long, largely restricted to upper half of fruitCommersonia breviseta
3Mature leaf ovate to narrowly ovate; anther filaments mainly with stellate hair; fruit setae 3.5–4.6 mm long, dense throught surface of fruitCommersonia rugosa