Annual or perennial herbs. Stipules 0. Leaves alternate, opposite or whorled. Flowers actinomorphic, rarely zygomorphic, bisexual. Calyx gamosepalous, (4-)5(-9)-partite. Corolla gamopetalous, rotate to campanulate with a 4-9-lobed limb. Stamens equalling corolla lobes, sometimes alternating with staminodes. Ovary semi-inferior (Samolus) or superior (other genera) or 1-locular; ovules 2-3 or more, usually many. Fruit a capsule. Worldwide: 22 genera and 825 species, ± cosmopolitan, but mainly in the northern hemisphere. Zimbabwe: 2 cultivated genera and 2 cultivated taxa. |
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