A plant family of the order Caryophyllales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida. The species are diverse in appearance and habitat; most have swollen leaf and stem joints.

Members contain TRITERPENES.

Synonyms: Ruptureworts, txid1205700, Rupturewort, Spergularia, Cerastiums, Brachystemma, Herniarias, Caryophyllaceae, txid115623, Mouse-ear Chickweeds, Spergularias, Drymaria, Chickweed, Mouse-ear, Cerastium, txid3568, txid3579, txid157640, txid191452, Drymarias, Mouse-ear Chickweed, Brachystemmas, Chickweed, Mouse ear, Chickweeds, Mouse-ear, Herniaria