Spergula L.
Annual, rarely perennial, herbs. Hairs glandular or eglandular. Lvs opposite, linear, often in dense axillary fascicles; stipules scarious, not united to surround the node. Infl. a terminal dichasium; pedicels deflexed after flowering, later becoming erect; bracts scarious; epicalyx 0. Sepals 5, free. Petals 5, white, entire; coronal scales 0. Stamens 5-10. Styles (3)-5. Fr. an ovoid capsule, dehiscing by (3)-5 valves; carpophore 0. Seeds spherical or flattened, papillate or smooth, keeled or winged.
5 spp., Europe. Naturalised sp. 1.
