Caryophyllaceae is known as the campion, pink or carnation family; a relatively large group of small-flowered plants, which generally have opposite, unlobed leaves with entire edges, and flowers in branched, terminal clusters. Flowers of most species are formed of five petals, often notched, or divided, five sepals (usually partly fused) and ten stamens. About 75 members of this genus grow in the British Isles.
