Herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate, rarely opposite, simple, entire, seldom laciniate, stipulate. Flowers axillary and solitary, or cymose, paniculate, or racemose. Pedicels commonly furnished with two bracts. A large order distributed over the whole world. Only one genus need occupy our attention, and therefore we content ourselves with giving its technical characters alone.

1. F. Iaevis. Sea Heath. - A native species with pink flowers, growing in dense patches, and very pretty when in full bloom. There are several other hardy species, none of them very showy.