A key is presented for use in identifying asymmetrically winged fruits (samaras) with either proximal or distal locules. It aids identification based on dispersed fuit morphology and can be used to identify undetermined extant herbarium specimens or fossil fruits to the correct extant family and genus. The 39 genera from 11 families (Aceraceae, Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae, Malpighiaceae, Phytolaccaceae, Polygalaceae, Polygonaceae, Rutaceae, Sapindaceae, Trigoniaceae, Ulmaceae) are distinguished on the basis of wing venation, size of fruit, presence and position of attachment surface, presence and type of subsidiary wings on the ovary wall. ornamentation, size and shape of the ovary, locule position, shape of locule cross section, style position and ornamentation, distinction between ovary wall and wing, and angle of attachment between individual samaras. The developmental origins of some of these features are discussed.