Description: Glabrous annual or perennial herbs.
Leaves whorled.
Inflorescence sub-umbellate. Perianth segments 5, membranous, white, free. Stamens 3–5, with or without staminodes. Ovary superior; carpels 3, stigmas 3, sessile.
Fruit a capsule, dehiscing septicidally; seeds without a caruncle or appendage.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 20 species, cosmopolitan. Australia: c. 3 species, Qld, N.S.W., Vic., N.T., S.A.
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs & J. Highet
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Leaves mostly obovate to spathulate or oblanceolate, with at least some more than 10 mm long; capsule 3–4 mm long, longer than the perianth | Mollugo verticillata |
| Leaves linear, less than 10 mm long; capsule less than 2.5 mm long, subequal to the perianth | Mollugo cerviana |
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