Infl. us. a dichasial cyme, often umbelliform, sts reduced to a single fl. Fls perfect, regular, 5-4-merous; calyx-lobes imbricate; corolla-lobes contorted in bud, ± persistent. Stamens epipetalous, alt. with corolla-lobes; anthers 2-celled, introrse; style with a simple or 2-lobed stigma (stigmas occ. 2, free); ovary superior, unilocular; placentae 2, parietal, sts produced and almost meeting. Fr. us. a septicidal capsule (Gentianoideae), sts fleshy, indehiscent (Menyanthoideae). Annual to perennial glab. herbs (rarely with a few hairs) with us. opp. entire exstipulate sessile or subsessile lvs; sap bitter. Family subcosmopolitan, with some 80 genera and 850 spp. The recognition of the Meny-anthaceae as a separate family appears well justified.

Mostly annual or perennial herbs, occasionally climbing, sometimes shrubs, usually glabrous. Lvs simple, usually opposite, entire, exstipulate, bitter-tasting, very rarely reduced to scales. Infl. commonly a dichasial cyme, sometimes a fascicle, umbel, or fls solitary. Fls usually ☿, rarely unisexual, usually actinomorphic, 4-6-(14)-merous. Calyx gamosepalous, usually deeply lobed, persistent. Corolla cylindric to funnelform, campanulate or rotate, often with scales or glands; lobes contorted in the bud, ± persistent. Stamens epipetalous, as many as corolla segments, usually free. Ovary superior, 2-carpellate, 1-(2)-locular, with 2 parietal placentae, sometimes walls intrusive; ovules many; style 1 or 0; stigma usually 2-lobed. Fr. usually a septicidal, 2-valved capsule, rarely baccate. Seeds usually numerous and minute, endospermic.