Rubiaceae

Woody shrubs of wetlands and terrestrial non-woody (herbaceous) perennial. Stems upright or sprawling along ground, in some species forming mats and rooting at the nodes. Leaves opposite or whorled, simple, mostly deciduous, rarely evergreen; stipules in plants with whorled leaves sometimes similar to the leaves in size and shape.

Flowers mostly in cymes, sometimes solitary or in dense round heads, often showy; flower arrays at the top of the stem and the ends of branches, often on stalks. Each flower radially symmetrical, and producing both pollen and seeds. Petals 4 or 5 (rarely 8 to 10), fused at base to form a funnel-shaped tube with lobes at the top. Sepals 4 or 5, fused or separate, often short, sometimes none.Stamens 4 or 5, separate, sepal stalks attached to petal tube and alternating with petal lobes. Carpels usually 2, fused to form 1 pistil; ovary located below point of attachment of other flower parts (inferior); style slender, undivided or separate. Fruit a berry, stonefruit, or capsule.