FORM  Usually perennial herbs, a few annuals.

Genera        28       

Species  800 species in our area 28 (Gray); 26 (B&B)⁴³

Distribution Northern hemisphere

Flowers each stamen is attached to the center of a petal (instead of at the junction of two petals) solitary, in loose clusters or umbels

#Parts   5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals, 5 stamens (starflower 6-7 parts).

Symmetry Radial

Leaves simple undivided, may be opposite, whorled or in basal rosettes