Cistaceae

Low woody shrubs, or wiry, upright, non-woody (herbaceous) plants; terrestrial perennials typically found in sandy or rocky areas.

Leaves simple, alternate, often narrow, linear to scale-like, with smooth edges. Leaves and stem usually sparsely or densely hairy.

Flowers numerous, in leafy panicles (Lechea) or solitary in leaf axils or at the ends of branches arising from axils (Hudsonia); producing both pollen and seeds. Sepals persistent, 5 in 2 sets; the 2 outer sepals much smaller or narrower than the inner 3, each outer sepal in Hudsonia is fused with an inner one. Petals 3 or 5 (some flowers sometimes with none), separate from one another: Petals yellow, showy and falling off early in Hudsonia; tiny, inconspicuous, reddish and persisting when withered in Lechea. Stamens 3-25, inconsistent in number, often more numerous than petals, separate. Ovary 1, located above point of attachment of other flower parts (superior); style 1 or none; stigmas 1-3, may rest directly on top of ovary. Fruit a round, egg-shaped or cylindrical capsule with 1-6 seeds, capsule with cross partitions that remain after the seeds are released.