Silene L.

Annual, biennial or perennial herbs. Hairs eglandular and/or glandular or 0. Lvs opposite, exstipulate, linear to ovate to obovate or oblanceolate. Infl. a compact to lax regular or irregular dichasium or raceme-like monochasium or a panicle with a central axis bearing lateral dichasia; bracts leaflike or scarious; epicalyx 0. Fls ☿ or unisexual. Calyx cylindric, ovoid or inflated, 10-, 20- or 30-veined, 5-toothed; commissures veined, not scarious. Petals 5, white to red, clawed; claw often lobed near base of limb; limb entire, emarginate or divided, sometimes 4-lobed; coronal scales variously shaped, paired at base of limb. Stamens 10. Styles 3 or (4)–5–(6 or more). Fr. an ovoid or cylindric capsule dehiscing by twice as many teeth as the styles, or by as many 2-fid teeth; carpophore very short to long. Seeds reniform, warty or ridged; faces flat or hollowed; backs flat or grooved, rarely winged.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]