| leaves: | cauline and often basal, simple, alternate, the lower sometimes opposite, entire |
| inflorescence: | a scorpioid cyme or flowers 1-2 per axil |
| flowers: | generally radial, sepals 5, free or fused in lower half, corolla 5-lobed, salverform, stamens alternating with corolla lobes, 5, and epipetalous, ovary superior |
| fruit: | nutlets, 1-4, smooth to variously roughened, sometimes prickly or bristled, often need mature fruits to key to species |