A diagnostic key to the sections of the Gagea is presented below.

1a. Radical leaf flattened in outline of transverse section, ≥ 2 mm diameter .................................... Gagea section Gagea

1b. Radical leaf pentagonal, circular, sinuate or v-shaped in the outline of transverse section, ≤ 9 mm width, ≥ 2 mm only in Gagea vegeta ............................................................................................................................................................ 2

2a. Bulb tunic leathery, dark in color ...................................................................................... Gagea section Didymobolbos

2b. Bulb tunic reticulate, fibrous or papery, grey in color ................................................................................................... 3

3a. Inflorescence umbellate (singular in G. bulbifera), tepals long-acuminate at the tip....... Gagea section Platyspermum

3b. Inflorescence cymose (flowers solitary in G. uliginosa, tepals acute to obtuse at the tip .. Gagea section Plecostigma