Family: Caryophyllaceae

Family description:

Herbs, rarely small shrubs. Leaves usually opposite and decussate, more rarely alternate to vetricillate, simple, entire, with or without scariuos stipules. Flowers actinomorphic; usually hermaphrodite, often in bracteate dichasia. Sepals 4-5. free, or fused and often united by scarious strips of tissue (commissures) alternating with the calyx-theeth. Petals (0)4-5, free. Stamens usually 8-10, obdiplostemonous. Ovary superior, unilocular at least above, with 1 to numerous campylotropous ovules on a basal or free-central placenta; stigmas (1)2-5. Fruot usually a capsule, dehiscing with teeth equalling the styles in number or twice as many; more rarely fruit a berry or achene.