Gentianaceae
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.
