52 - Caryophyllaceae
from Division 5 - Magnoliophyta
Summary
Herbs, sometimes woody at the base, or more rarely shrubs. Leaves usually opposite, more rarely alternate or verticillate, simple, entire, with or without stipules. Inflorescence an often bracteate dichasium; flowers usually bisexual, actinomorphic. Sepals 4 or 5, free or fused and often united by scarious strips of tissue (commissures) alternating with the calyx teeth. Petals (0–)4 or 5, free. Stamens usually 8–10, obdiplostemonous. Stigmas (1–)2– 5. Ovary superior, unilocular at least above, with one to numerous campylotropous ovules on a basal or free-central placenta. Fruit usually a capsule, dehiscent, with teeth equalling the styles in number or twice as many, or more rarely a berry or achene.
Contains about 1750 species in 70 genera, mainly in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
Stipules present, though sometimes caducous 2.
Stipules absent 10.
All leaves alternate 3.
Leaves opposite or verticillate (or some leaves apparently alternate) 4.
Sepals less than 3 mm; fruit an achene 12. Corrigiola
Sepals 3–7 mm; fruit a capsule 13. Telephium
Styles 1 or 2 5.
Styles 3 or 5 8.
Bracts conspicuous, longer than flowers 14. Paronychia
Bracts inconspicuous, shorter than flowers 6.
Plant erect; leaves aristate 14. Paronychia
Plant procumbent; leaves not aristate 7.
Sepals not white and spongy 15. Herniaria
Sepals conspicuously white and spongy 16. Illecebrum
Leaves obovate or subrotund 17. Polycarpon
Leaves subulate, linear or linear-lanceolate 9.
Stipules not connate; styles 5 18. Spergula
Stipules connate; styles 3 19. Spergularia
Sepals free or joined only at the base 11.
Sepals joined to form a distinct calyx tube 26.
Styles 2 12.
Styles 3–5 14.
Petals absent; fruit indehiscent 11. Scleranthus
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Flora of Great Britain and Ireland , pp. 434 - 486Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2018