Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 128 (1753).

Derivation: Latin for "fattening, nourishment"; a word applied by Linnaeus to this genus.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Pearlworts.

Description:
Small annual or perennial herb, usually with slender erect ascending or procumbent stems; leaves subulate to linear-lanceolate, slightly cuneate, exstipulate.

Inflorescence cymose, flowers pedunculate, solitary, terminal or axillary; sepals 4 or 5, free; petals 4 or 5, white, sometimes wanting; styles 4, opposite the sepals.

Capsule as long as the sepals, opening to the base in 4 valves in S. Aust.; seeds numerous, obovoid, minute.

Distribution:  About 30 species, chiefly in the Northern Hemisphere, but several now widespread as weeds.

Biology: No text

Key to Species:

1. Stem erect, branches not rooting
2. Leaves with distinct short awns; pedicels and sepals frequently glandular	S. apetala 1.
2. Leaves blunt or mucronulate, not awned; pedicels and sepals normally glabrous	S. maritima 2.
1. Stem procumbent, branches often rooting	S. procumbens 3.

Author: Not yet available