Spergularia (Pers.) J.Presl & C.Presl

Herbs, annual or strongly perennial with branched, woody caudex. Taproots filiform to stout. Stems erect to sprawling, simple to freely branching distally or throughout, terete, sometimes woody. Leaves opposite, axillary clusters of leaves often present, distinct, sessile; stipules 2 per node, white to tan, lanceolate and acuminate to widely triangular, margins entire, apex entire to variously split; blade 1-veined, threadlike to linear, mostly succulent, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescences terminal cymes, branching symmetrically or to 1 side (monochasium), simple to 8+-compound or sometimes flowers solitary and axillary; bracts usually paired or sometimes single, smaller, foliaceous, distalmost sometimes with scarious margins. Pedicels ascending to erect, divergently spreading, reflexed, or arching downward in fruit. Flowers: perianth and androecium hypogynous, briefly perigynous; hypanthium dish-or cup-shaped, not abruptly expanded distally; sepals connate in proximal 1/ 5, green, lanceolate to ovate, 0.9-8 mm, herbaceous, margins scarious, apex acute to obtuse; petals 5, white to pink, blade apex entire; nectaries as lateral expansion of bases of filaments opposite sepals; stamens 1-10, arising from rim of hypanthium; filaments distinct; styles 3, distinct or nearly so, filiform, 0.2-3 mm, glabrous proximally; stigmas 3, linear along adaxial surface of styles, obscurely papillate (30×). Capsules ovoid, opening by 3 spreading valves with recurved tips; carpophore absent. Seeds 30-150+, light to dark brown, reddish brown, or black, circular to angular, plump or laterally compressed, smooth to variously sculptured to papillate, complete or partial, membranous, laciniate, marginal wing often present, appendage absent. x = 9.