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