Caryophyllaceae

Species are mostly non-woody plants (herbaceous); annual, biennial or perennial. Flowers never yellow; may be solitary, or in various branched arrangements. The flowers radially symmetrical, typically 4- or 5-parted; petals distinct, often notched; sepals may be separate from one another or fused at the base. Stamens 5-10 (usually twice as many as petals); styles 2-5. Fruit usually a dry capsule opening at the tip.

Leaf arrangement mostly opposite.

Stem has swollen nodes at the points of leaf attachment.