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Herbs biennial or perennial. Stems erect. Leaves lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, apex acute. Inflorescence a dichasium or flower solitary. Calyx tubular to narrowly funnel-shaped or narrowly campanulate, usually not inflated, 10-veined, with 5 teeth. Petals 5, long clawed, limb white, pink, or red, entire, bifid, 4-fid, or laciniate; coronal scales present. Androgynophore ± conspicuous, glabrous. Stamens 10. Ovary 1-loculed; ovules numerous; styles 5, opposite calyx teeth, their bases persistent in fruit. Capsule septicidally dehiscing with 5 teeth. Seeds numerous, reniform, minute, ± tuberculate.
Perennial herbs. Stems erect. Leaves sessile or shortly petioled. Inflorescence dense or lax dichasial cymes. Flowers mostly bisexual, 5-merous, with contorted aestivation. Calyx cylindrical, spherical or campanulate, with 10 veins and 5 short teeth. Petals long-clawed, with coronal scales. Stamens 10. Ovary unilocular or at the base 5-locular. Styles 5, free, opposite the calyx segments. Capsule sessile or stipitate, ± spherical to ellipsoid, enclosed in the calyx, opening by 5 undivided teeth. Seeds reniform, flat.
