Gentianaceae
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.
Key
70-80 genera, 800-1000 spp., very widespread, especially in temperate regions.
Liparophyllum, treated by Allan (1961) in Gentianaceae, is now referred to Menyanthaceae.
