Annual herbs. Lvs basal and cauline, 2-3-pinnatisect, the lower petiolate, the upper sessile; segments linear to filiform. Fls terminal on stems and branches, often closely invested by an involucre of lvs. Sepals 5 (more in cvs), petaloid, yellowish white, bluish, or greenish, not spurred. Petals 5 (0 in cvs), lobed and bearing nectaries, < sepals, not spurred. Stamens many. Carpels 5-(10), united, sometimes only at base; ovules many; styles long. Fr. a capsule composed of 5-(10) usually united follicles.
Sep 5, petaloid; pet none; staminodes 5 or more; short, clawed, distally 2-lobed; stamens many; pistils 5–10, connate to about the middle, prolonged above into subulate styles; fr of connate, beaked follicles; annuals with finely dissected lvs and large, regular, terminal fls. 15+, Medit. region and w. Asia.