Caprifoliaceae Juss.

Monoecious, dioecious (not in Australia), polygamous (not in Australia) or gynodioecious (not in Australia) annual, biennial or perennial herbs, shrubs or lianas. Leaves opposite, sometimes whorled or in a basal rosette, simple or lobed, entire to pinnately dissected, petiolate; stipules absent, sometimes with pseudostipules. Inflorescences terminal (not in Australia) or axillary, thyrses, spikes, racemes or heads. Flowers bisexual or female, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, sometimes with an epicalyx of 4 fused and modified bracts. Sepals fused, forming a cup or tube, with 4 or 5 lobes, sometimes modified into spiny setae or further divided into up to 30 pappus-like segments. Petals fused, 4 or 5, infundibular, rotate or campanulate, usually bilabiate. Nectary usually 1 in corolla tube at base of abaxial petal or rarely 3–5. Stamens 1–5, epipetalous, alternating with corolla lobes; anthers 2-locular, dehiscing by longitudinal slits. Ovary inferior, 2–5-or rarely 7–10-carpellate, 1–3-locular; ovules one to numerous per locule; placentation axile. Fruit a many seeded septicidal capsule (not in Australia) or berry, drupe with 2–4 pyrenes or an achene or nutlet enclosed in an epicalyx or often with a persistent, sometimes pappus-like or awned calyx; seeds with or without endosperm.

Several of the genera, including Abelia, Centranthus, Lonicera and Symphoricarpos are widely cultivated. The traditional Chinese medicine Xu Duan is made from the roots of Dipsacus and is used to combat joint and bone ailments as well as external sores and uterus bleeding (Mayer 2016). In South Africa the leaves or roots of Scabiosa columbaria are used to remedy colic and heartburn and to heal wounds (Mayer 2016). Rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi and Valeriana celtica are used to extract oils to serve as stimulants (Weberling & Bittrich 2016). The leaves of Valerianella species and Valeriana edulis are consumed in Europe and Mexico, respectively (Weberling & Bittrich 2016).