Fls 5-merous; ovary 1-celled with parietal, or 3-5-celled with axile placentae. Fr. capsular to baccate. Some 300 spp., mainly of temperate regions.

Deciduous or evergreen herbs, often with annual stems, or shrubs; stems often angular. Lvs opposite or whorled, usually entire, often dotted with glands. Fls in terminal panicles or cymes, sometimes solitary, sometimes axillary, ☿, occasionally distylous. Sepals (4)-5, often unequal. Petals (4)-5, nearly always yellow, often oblique, contorted in bud. Stamens usually numerous, sometimes few, usually connate at base in 3 or 5 (rarely 4) bundles, sometimes antipetalous. Ovary 1-5-locular, with parietal or axile placentation, if 1-locular then with 3-5 parietal placentae. Styles (2)-3-5, free or connate. Fr. usually a septicidal capsule, more rarely baccate.