Contemporary Circumscription Compared with A Utah Flora 4th ed.
Bio430
Caryophyllaceae
No differences.
Key Features
Herbaceous annual to perennial herbs with swollen nodes and opposite leaves that are typically fused or joined at their bases. The leaves are also entire and typically narrow (longer than broad). Petals (though sometimes absent) are typically ‘pinked’ along the margin or have an apical notch. Sepals may be free or fused, and if fused, the petals typically have a claw+blade morphology along with appendages at the claw-blade junction. Stamens may equal or be 2x the number of sepals (typically 5, sometimes 4). The superior ovary bears 2-5 styles (1 for each carpel), has a single locule, and free-central placentation.
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Stellaria sp. from Argentina
Stellaria sp. Look closely and you can see 3 free styles (fruit is 3-carpelate) arising from the ovary; the 5 petals are deeply lobed
Stellaria sp. The 5 free sepals have a thin, membranous margin
Stellaria from Hobble Creek Canyon
Stellaria from Hobble Creek Canyon; capsules opening from apical valves
Dianthus - opposite leaves with swollen node
Dianthus (carnation) - bractlets at base of flower are diagnostic for Dianthus; opposite leaves, swollen node, sepals fused in a tube, pinked petals
Dianthus, flower partially dissected; petals are free (although sepals are fused), stamens are free, ovary is superior
Dianthus; single free, pinked petal with expanded blade and long, narrow claw
Dianthus, flower with half of calyx, all petals, and all stamens removed; single superior ovary with 2 free styles (this species has 2 carpels)
Dianthus; section through superior ovary with free central placentation
capsule opening by apex near base of inflorescence
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Eremogone - free sepals, petals are not pinked, 3 free styles
Eremogone
Silene sp. Petal appendages evident
Saponaria
Saponaria - inflorescence is a good example of a dichasial cyme
Saponaria - petals are free with appendages at the blade–claw junction
Silene
Silene
Silene
Holosteum umbellatum
Holosteum umbellatum
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