Vegetative key to the families

Herbs with SWOLLEN NODES and opposite or rarely whorled leaves; leaves always simple with entire margins; the leaf bases often connate. Stipules mostly absent, sometimes membranous and connate Caryophyllaceae
Sepals free or nearly so
Stipules absent
Styles 5. Capsule with 10 teeth Cerastium
Upper bracts entirely herbaceous. Lower leaves oblanceolate to obovate, 5–25 mm long. Pedicels shorter than the sepals. Sepals with hairs exceeding the apex. Widespread. Garden weed. Almost cosmop.. Fl. winter–summer. Mouse-ear Chickweed Cerastium glomeratum
Upper bracts scarious on the tip or margins