| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Eudicots-Caryophyllids
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Family Common Name: Carnation Family
Genera: Cerastium, Dianthus, Gypsophilla, Silene |
Defining Features: All other
caryophyllids (except this family and the Molluginaceae) produce reddish
betalain pigments. The Caryophyllaceae produces anthocyanin as its reddish
pigment. True petals are lacking. The outer whorl stamens are petal-like
and often are clawed.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are actinomorphic (rarely zygomorphic) and bisexual (rarely
unisexual) and borne in cymes. Bracts sometimes present. Ovaries are superior
(rarely inferior) with free-central or basal placentation. Fruit and Seed
Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit as a loculicidal capsule or utricle. Seeds
have curved embryo. Endosperm lacking and replaced by perisperm. Vegetative
Features: Habit as annual or perennial herbs with swollen nodes, shrubs
or lianas. Leaves simple, entire and opposite, often with paired bases
connected. Stipules are thin and dry or lacking.
Distribution: Wide distribution,
mostly warm temperate Northern Hemisphere.
Economic Use: Cultivated as
garden and indoor ornamentals.
Number of Genera Globally:
70
Number of Species Globally: 2,200
