Caryophyllaceae - Chickweed family

Annual or perennial herbs. Stipules present (wholly or partly scarious) or 0. Leaves simple, usually opposite and decussate, rarely whorled, entire. Flowers in cymes, usually in dichasia, sometimes in cymose clusters, rarely solitary, usually bisexual, actinomorphic. Sepals 4-5, free or fused. Petals usually 4-5, sometimes 0, often 2-fid, free. Stamens 8-10. Styles 2-5. Ovary superior. Fruit a many-seeded capsule.

Worldwide: 87 genera and 2,300 species, cosmopolitan, but especially temperate and warm northern hemisphere.

Malawi: 6 genera and 9 taxa.