Caryophyllaceae

Stellaria L.

First published in Sp. Pl.: 421 (1753), nom. cons.
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is Temperate & Subtropical to Tropical Mountains.

Descriptions

Caryophyllaceae, H. Wild. Flora Zambesiaca 1:2. 1961

Morphology General Habit
Annual or perennial herbs usually with slender diffuse stems.
Morphology Leaves
Leaves opposite, sessile or petiolate, simple, entire, flat or very rarely subulate, exstipulate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences of terminal dichasial cymes, rarely flowers solitary.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 4–5, free.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 4–5, white, deeply bilobed, or occasionally absent.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 10 (5 + 5) or fewer by reduction.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil
Ovary 1-locular; styles (2) 3, free.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Capsule usually more or less rounded, opening at the apex by 3 or 6 (rarely 2 or 4) valves.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds numerous or occasionally 1–4-, roundish-reniform.
[FZ]

Caryophyllaceae, W. B. Turrill. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1956

Morphology General Habit
Annual or perennial herbs, often with slender diffuse stems, glabrous or hairy
Morphology Leaves
Leaves opposite, simple, entire, flat to (rarely) subulate, exstipulate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences dichasial cymes which are terminal to the branches, rarely the flowers solitary
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals free, 4–5
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 4–5, more or less deeply bilobed, white, or occasionally absent
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 5 + 5, or fewer by reduction
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style
Styles generally 3 but sometimes 2, free
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Capsule unilocular with 3 (or rarely 2) or 6 (rarely 4) valves
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds either numerous or 1–4.
[FTEA]

Sources

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2023. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2022 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2023. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2022 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0