Caryophyllaceae

Taxonomy

Family name: Caryophyllaceae Jussieu

Synonym(s): Alsinaceae Bartl., nom. cons.; Dianthaceae Vest; Herniariaceae Martinov; Illecebraceae R. Br., nom. cons.; Paronychiaceae Juss.; Scleranthaceae Bercht. & J. Presl; Silenaceae Bartl.; Spergulaceae Bartl.; Stellariaceae Bercht. & J. Presl; Telephiaceae Martinov

Common name(s): pink family

*Number of genera/species: 97/2,625

List of genera records in GRIN-Global

Disseminule

fruit or seed

Description

Fruit usually denticidal or valvate capsule, sometimes indehiscent, berrylike fruit (Silene spp. or fruit dry at maturity, Pollichia, but fleshy infructescence formed from swollen peduncles appearing like a berry), or one-seeded nutlet (nutlets sometimes rupture irregularly), 0.4–27 mm long, globose to lenticular, or trigonous, terete in transection, often appearing toothed at apex (because of persistent calyx lobes), rarely winged (Spergula spp.), one to many-seeded. Nutlets enclosed by persistent calyx. Pericarp black or brown, rarely green or whitish, usually smooth, rarely deeply furrowed (Wilhelmsia). One-seeded spiny fruit in Sphaerocoma.

Seed compressed, often reniform or comma-shaped with radicle prominent or globose to triangular, rarely peltiform, flattened, compressed, or terete in transection, usually 0.4–3 mm long, dustlike in Sagina. Usually unwinged, except in Spergula and Spergularia, which are variable for this trait. Usually exarillate, except funicular aril in Moehringia and Petrocoptis. Seed coat usually black or brown, crustaceous, shiny or dull, glabrous, usually sculptured by papilliform cells, rarely smooth, may appear roughened, reticulate, or tuberculate. Hila lateral in notched depression in reniform seeds or in the middle of one side in flattened seeds.

Embryo two per seed, well developed, completely or nearly filling seed coat, usually peripheral, sometimes axile and centric, foliate (spatulate), usually curved (arcuate to circinate), rarely straight (Dianthus). Endosperm thin or absent. Perisperm copious to moderate, mealy or horny.

Habitat and crop association

Noxious Weed: USA Federal Noxious Weed List, Drymaria arenarioides Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult., terrestrial and weed in seed

More about this species on the Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the US ID tool.

Identification features

Fruit
Type	capsule, berrylike, nutlet
Size range	0.4–27 mm long
Shape(s)	globose, ellipsoid, oblong, ovoid, clavate, cylindrical, lobed, conical, lenticular, urceolate
Texture	chartaceous, membranous, scarious, sometimes inflated and somewhat fleshy (Wilhelmsia)
Surface relief	smooth, rarely furrowed or papillate
Color(s)	black, brown, white
Unique features	Black or brown, small, denticidal capsules usually with numerous dark, crustaceous, sculptured reniform seeds. Sometimes one-seeded nutlets enclosed by persistent calyces.
Seed
Size range	0.4–3 mm long, dustlike in Sagina
Shape(s)	often reniform or comma-shaped with radicle prominent or globose to triangular, rarely peltiform
Surface relief	papillate to tuberculate (sometimes appearing starlike), roughened, reticulate, rarely smooth
Color(s)	black, brown, rarely straw-colored, sometimes dark red to red-brown, gray-black, whitish, or translucent
Unique features	Usually dark colored, papillate reniform or comma-like seeds with a prominent radicle with embryos (two per seed) visibly curved to coiled around copious to moderate, mealy or horny perisperm. Seeds with larger lateral hila.
Other
Embryo	two per seed, well developed, completely or nearly filling seed coat, usually peripheral, sometimes axile and centric, foliate (spatulate), usually curved (arcuate to circinate), rarely straight (Dianthus)
Nutritive tissue	Endoperm thin or absent. Perisperm copious to moderate, mealy or horny.

Distribution

Primarily occurs in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with representation also in temperate South America and tropical mountains.

Distribution map courtesy of Angiosperm Phylogeny Website.

References

Kirkbride et al. 2006; Kubitzki et al. 1990+; Noxious Weed Regulations 2020; Takhtajan 2009; USDA 1980; Zhengyi et al. 2004+

*The number of genera and species is based on Christenhusz and Byng 2016, which may differ from the number of genera in GRIN-Global.